we reflect back on the year ending......

and we have bittersweet sentiment....
a mixed cadre of situational gestalt....
ONLY assessable in hindsight.....

what have we accomplished ?
whom have we loved ?
in what ways have we helped ?
were we able to withhold judgment and critique ?
are our children clean and safe ?
is our pathway lined with 'gold'
 or some cheap, metal substitute ?

we fill the ROSH HASHANAH basket
 with apples and honey and virtuosity.....
we send salutations....
we prepare our synagogue tickets...
we set out our holiday finery....

but....
have we evolved into more upstanding people ?
REALLY HAVE WE ???

we tuck the nagging question back into the folds of our consciousness.....

is it too late ??
can we repent on this holiday ???
WRONG HOLIDAY ???
ya think ??

WE ARE REMINDED OF 'BABEL'.....
nations upon nations....
MIXED.....
CHAOTIC NOMENCLATURE......

we have had to take a HARD LINE against intruders.....
to the unfortunate chagrin of others...

all well and good....
but bravery and leadership are a LONELY FORTE....
in a world filled with compromise and grenades.....

having said that.......
a shiny, new year is opening its wings to us...
we will soar amid the wondrous airspace......

A HAPPY AND HEALTHY AND GORGEOUS NEW YEAR TO ALL......
GMAR CHATIMA TOVA...