When she is gone,
it is like the fire
has gone out
from the burning bush

And there is no
“ma” to follow “Sh”–
body yes,
but no spirit,
no neshama
to hear God’s
oneness

“Are you here my love”
I ask, over and over,
and there is nothing
but silence

until she finally says
“I’m back,”
and returns to me,
dark to light
hollow to world
once more,
Baruch Hashem.