No One on my Account
Matthew L. Schwartz
Liturgist
No one on my account…I tear my clothes into shreds, throw ashes on my head, wear sack cloth…I beg:plead:ask you to intercede. Repentance, Prayer, Charity…these temper your severe decree as today the Shofar blasts have your hosts trembling before you in dread.
No one on my account…I forgive…I forgive…I forgive…may none who have transgressed:sinned:come cross be held to your holy standard/to which no human could possibly stand:the eyes of a disappointed father upon the whole world right now, and I’m not sure I can survive your withering gaze.
No one on my account…may none be judged, may no marks be held against any soul; my memory fades, my memory weakens, I cannot recall anyone so deserving of your righteous decree…bombs have exploded around me, and yet I forgive…both for them, and for me…because the whole world is walking around blind:in pain:traumatized.
Hurt People, Hurt People.
No one on my account…no one added to your list: whom by fire and who by drowning, who by stoning and who by plague, who shall be comforted and who shall be afflicted? May each transgressor be comforted, may no one be afflicted on my account:because of my soul.
May they be inscribed for a year of love.