You Wish to Live a Long and Healthy Life

October 9, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is ethical behavior in honor of Yom Kippur, which begins at sunset on Oct. 8 and ends at nightfall on Oct. 9.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A poem for Yom Kippur about the relationship between the individual and the community:

You wish to live a long and healthy life

On friendly terms with everyone around you,

Married to a lovely, loving wife,

Knee deep in the good causes that surround you.

In truth, however, you're not in control,

Planted where you are by wind, not will,

Placed where sun and shade might shape your soul,

Ultimately child of the whole,

Repenting for us all, for good or ill.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/youwis.html. For more poems for the Jewish High Holy Days, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/yomkippurpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Ethical Behavior

10/7: You Cannot Think the Book of Life Will Close

10/8: You Find but Little Solace in Success

10/9: You Wish to Live a Long and Happy Life