PSALM 8 – For perpetuating purposeful service for love’s sake Yud-hei-vav-hei: Contraction, inhale, expansion, exhale. Breath. Our אדון/Adoneinu: Serving You. Mastering me. Connecting, we. מה אדיר/Mah Adir: How majestically beautiful! Each breath, whispered connections, exclamations of wonder, I hear your name everywhere – in the mouths of babes, crying, suckling in our most vulnerable moments You seed strength for the struggle against antagonism, vengeance and shame. Your

PSALM 30 – Daily Dose of Dedication and Thanks In times forgotten, they used to rub oil On the palates of new-borns awaiting the breast And when words are carried, passed along on tongues The mothers that birthed must wean them at last. לחנוך la’hanoch meant to train, nursing child, ailing hearts And Hanuccah is dedication, lubricating fresh starts. So we train… The mouth to receive what is lovingly given The body to perform what the Spirit can dream The house to breed love,

Birchot Hashachar[1]: Waking Blessings with the Powers of the Senses[2] (in Haiku[3]) Heart beats, knee[4] bends[5] Body wakes to life within[6] Now, I FEEL ברוך-baruch. Lifting lids, Your face Shines[7] beyond the bounds of words[8] Here, I SEE אתה-atah. Essential self, soul Living-loving-AWARENESS Image of י''ה-hashem. Listen. We can tune Each string to sing together[9] HEAR אלקינו-eloheynu Savor sweet and sour Balanced flavors reign supreme I TASTE מלך-melech Your scent,

PSALM 7 – From Angst to Thanks Thirteen attributes of love, sung to YaH, Words from Cush [Ethiopia], music from my beloved Yemen. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! From straights, seeking refuge, chased, like lion’s prey, terror tearing me apart, afraid nothing can save me. Ayin can save me. Am so powerless? What’s my part? Can my palms be guilt-free? Why else would this right-hand extended, to friend and foe, return empty? Ayin. Why else would this angst-and-anger chase me d