For Rachel Hadas

Old wounds leave good hollows

Where one who goes can hold

Himself in ghostly embraces

Of former powers and graces

Whose domain no strife mars—

I am made whole by my scars

For whatever now displaces

Follows all that once was

And without loss stows

Me into my own spaces



Samuel Menashe





From The Niche Narrows: New
and Selected Poems, Talisman
House, Publishers

By John Roedel

 whenever I feel helpless

in this overwhelming world

I become a helper

oh, oh,

my love

on the days

when it feels like

I have no power

I serve others

you see,

whenever I wash

the world’s feet

my hands

immediately

stop shaking

~ and I know peace

~ and I reclaim my power

~ and I get back to work