Conversion Immersion – Dorothea Arin

I am
naked pilgrim pregnant atheist:
who cares which god
I don’t believe in?
a woman holds my robe
I blush swollen nakedness
bare toes curl on mosaic tile
my child moves within
rabbis listen and chant
behind a screen
I slip into the water
stumble over practiced prayers

I am
Friday night candle lighter
Shehecheyanu sukkah maker
Kindergarten latke fryer
Double dipping herb eater
Study-your-portion bar mitzvah planner
Yizkor praying parent mourner

A shofar blows:
when did I forget to
not believe?

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