Category Archives: Neshama

Aug13

Neshama’s Song

Posted on August 13, 2014 by thejewishpoetess

by Dana Janine Diamond

When one soul cries
we join hearts
and listen,
Shush! Pay close attention…

There’s a song in Neshama’s heart
and it goes like this
Boom di da boom boom
Tra la la la la
Sing me the sweetest melody

Blue, green, yellow, and red-wing birds
circle overhead to rejoice
all the bright and soft colors
spread their wings

This is the way the world was meant
to be
the seas
are jumping
in a white-foam tizzy
the trees are clapping their leaves
the stones are skipping
into the mossy ponds
to swim with the guppies
the winds are breathing their soft breeze,
The morning stars are arising
The angels are stomping
Singing and shouting their glee

For there’s a girl with a Cookie
and Lemonade stand
with a sign turned upside down
on the side of the road
and we all pull over

We turn the radio down
to hear her sweet song
we are breathless
with anticipation
to hear her sweet soul song
she was always, always
meant to sing
notes so delicate and powerful
she stopped the sorrow.

Her song asked us to dance
and it went like this…..
Twirl and twirl and
Spin and spin
Cartwheel in the air
and land, hands held high!

Together, as one,
The way the world was meant to be
the way the world was meant to be

In Neshama’s song
We all live
We love
when the morning stars sing together and all the angels of God shout

with credit to the Book of Job…

To donate to my friend’s daughter to enable her to get the help she needs, visit here:

http://www.youcaring.com/tuition-fundraiser/help-neshama-go-to-school/216679

Jul1

For Three Children

Posted on July 1, 2014 by thejewishpoetess

Standard

by Dana Janine Diamond

How do I speak

for these three boys?

How does a mother

Cry

for her son?

How does a father

own this sorrow?

We are one, we are one

Let us know

no sorrow

Let us bring life

back to life

Head over heart

Hand over heart

We all die

a little

inside

from this pain.

Would these innocent children

want vengeance?

They were peace-seekers,

their lives were dedicated

to learning the ways of peace.

Israel, we are free!

We are the fate

of humanity.

You foolish, dangerous despots,

ruled by insanity

you kill

but you cannot bury,

you cannot drive us

into the Sea

For we are the Sea!

Let all people

Devoted to Goodness

Let all people

Devoted to Love

Let all people

Devoted to Kindness

Let all people

Devoted to Life

Live

Creator of words,

Heal us

Mother of life,

Comfort us.

Mar29

Starfish and Stars

Posted on March 29, 2012 by thejewishpoetess

Standard

By Dana Janine Diamond

My child has been ill

and like the restless harbor

that oscillates

and osculates

there is a deep mystery

that awaits

to be revealed

while we gaze

out to sea

count starfish

and hours

from Chanukah nights

to Purim treats

to Passover days

of sustenance

not fully formed,

wondering why

this difference

where are we going

how will we get there

when will we get there

like children

needing to know.

We sea the stars

keep the moon

in our view

from sliver to whole

and again.

So much cleaning to do

before we ascend,

before we grow,

I ask, is He asking

for her to be well?

Is She praying

for her to have health

and joy and light

and the sweet, slow-made candy

of life?

Feb14

Pearl Seed

Posted on February 14, 2012 by thejewishpoetess

Standard

By Dana Janine Diamond

I believe

God needs me

I believe

I am the smoothest pearl

the sweetest juice

the tastiest morsel

on the most Glorious tongue.

I believe

God needs me

I believe

I could be

the lightest petal

in the daisy chain

tied up and wished upon,

garland crown scrunched on,

spritely and meadow-free,

a dandelion cradled, held

in the smoothest palm

of the most resonant hand,

puff, poof, I’m gone.

Merely a flimsy whimsy thrown

by the pebbles, to the ground,

skipped over and stepped upon

precious trinket unseen

glimmering in the sun,

I shimmy and shimmer

to find my treasure,

like so many ships

slipped out of their slip,

circling, lost at sea,

journeys bequeathed,

for one girl or woman,

just like me,

I believe

God needs.

As an ivory cameo rests,

her features forever in repose,

perpetually calm,

we carry on.

So, about my song

should I even get started?

on the sound I make

when I give charity

the fluidity of melody

my coins are heralding

in the Heavens

oh, but would if I could

hear the trumpets, the drumbeat,

the insidious rhythm so natural

to the heart of me

would if I could hear

that I believe

God needs me

all that is around me

here in me

and I dance

ever moving, shaking

shaking, shaking

the maracas in my head

can you hear it, too?

Such bliss, the waves,

the beads, the most

perfect pearl,

prayers rising aglow

freshly dusted like snow

angels’ wings

we make, grow, sing

breathe upon the air

balloons flying off

to nowhere, colors now everywhere,

I believe

there is no telling

where you might find it

in the noise, in the quiet

your essence matters

with form or without it,

your poem-song-need,

the quintessential seed,

Those Loving arms

are yours, hold on now,

you know you’ve got it.

Jan1

After the Snow

Posted on January 1, 2012 by thejewishpoetess

Standard

by Dana Janine Diamond

We are dazzled

gazing up

we see You

in the light falling

if we look hard

we see Your gentle

wonder, bursts of Glory,

we are angels

for a time

and when it melts

all the pain and sorrow

with a burning star

we will find

the jewels

waiting to be shown

off.

We trudge, we push,

we lead the sled down

and up again

but You,

You bring the hill

before us,

You cover us

with light

so that it permeates

the center

of our being

so that our breast

is no longer weary

so that our skin glows

with mother’s milk

and honey, Your gift to us.

After the snow,

we remember

if we’re clever,

the manna

melting stars on our tongue

snow like breast milk in song

copper mirrors dancing

drifts of undulating deserts

shtetl mothers milking

praise waiting

to be uttered.

~ written with Ronit’s recovery in mind.