Earth Etude for Elul 17

Trace

by Sheryl J. Shapiro

In this chilly September twilight
tufts of cottontail are flattened on the street
the body drenched, glistening
The piercing eyes of the crows
draw the chalk line on the scene
 
The rabbit belongs to the brambles, the earth
The birds are eager for a winter meal
I want to lift this creature away from this runway
 
A paper bag from my trunk becomes the gurney
to the small tangle of grass by the mailbox
 
As the evening darkens, I bundle up
don a headlamp, shoulder my shovel
 
Gleaming eyes meet mine
Growls and screeches
spiral from the boughs of the cedar tree
 
Please, I whisper to the raccoon family, Be with us
 
The small hollow
opens to receive
 
a blanket of breathing soil,
small stones, leaves, cones, twigs
gently tucks in
what remains
 
Stars, Wind, Cedar, Raccoon, Human
witness together
in the silence

Sheryl J. Shapiro seeks to deepen her presence as a companion on healing journeys, explore and share the depths of her Judaic roots, whispers from nature, and the complex beauty of community.

Sheryl loves integrating spiritual, creative and embodied expression. This journey has included facilitator training programs in Sacred Hebrew Chant with Rabbi Shefa Gold, the Educator’s Leadership and Prayer Project Intensives with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and in experiential environmental education. Sheryl practices 5 Rhythms Dance/Open Floor movement, chanting, meditation, yoga and qigong.

Her poetry appears online at Ritualwell (2021, 2022, 2023) and Salish Magazine (2022), in print in Peregrine in the upcoming issue (2024), Like a Tree by Water: Poems, Prayers and Rituals, an Anthology by Advot members (2023), We’Moon Datebook (2020, 2022), Dirt? Exhibit and Catalogue, University of Puget Sound (2015) and Poetry on the Buses, Writing Home Collection, King County Metro (2014).

Sheryl lives on Duwamish/Coast Salish land (aka Seattle, WA) and was born and raised on Lenape land (aka Brooklyn, New York).