Completely immersed
…….Ha-tevilah,

Clean, fresh waters mingle with the specks of dirt on my back
Sin reborn, the waters indistinguishable from good or bad

Let the water wash over me
…….Leshtuf uti,

Mayim hayim, living water
Floods my eyes, ears, and mouth- seeing, hearing, tasting become obsolete

Bathwater, saltwater, chlorine
Mikveh
Wash over me until I am renewed

…….Kavvanot, kavvanot
Intentions, intentions surround me afloat-

The dew of heaven shines sticky on the tips of our fingers
And in the palms of our hands
As I dip my head until the top is no longer basking
But
…….Engulfed
…….Submerged
…….Held

Rachel is a recent Smith College graduate and writer, who writes coming of age poetry and prose. Her mission is to explore the gray areas, what it means to be human, and all things angst-related. Recently she writes about navigating the modern Jewish experience. She’s from New Rochelle, NY, but currently works at a senior center in lower Manhattan helping them with their creative writing among other personal needs.