Elul Poem by Ruth Fogelman

A hundred shofars sound at the Western Wall
At dawn, and in the crevices, white doves
Flutter their wings and softly coo, and all
The people stand, their thoughts with God above.

From Via Dolorosa, church bells ring.
They, too, call out, awake, awake, arise
To serve your Master, Lord, Eternal King.
I reach Shma Yisrael, and close my eyes.

Then up the steps to the Quarter I climb,
To breakfast, laundry, work, I start my day.
But in the neighboring church, the bells still chime,
And in my courtyard, children jump and play.

Again, in evening, I return to the Wall,
But wait till dawn to hear the shofar's call.