Post-Pandemic Passover

POST PANDEMIC PASSOVER

By ALAN SMASON

The world has emerged from its quarantine,

We can all breathe a sigh of relief.

There seems to be time to start living again

There is little time left for our grief.

Thanks to those who received vaccinations

The number of infections is way down.

The faces in hospitals are now smiling,

Where before all they’d wear was a frown.

So now it is time for us to assemble

And gather everyone ‘round our table.

It doesn’t matter how old or young you are,

You must take the time now if you’re able.

We are enjoined each year to remember

How we were slaves once and now we are free.

We give thanks to the Lord for his favor.

We are penitent and pray gratefully.

But this COVID has left us all shell-shocked

We were caught at a loss, unprepared.

To be perfectly frank, we were frightened

And this deadly threat made us all scared.

So now we can take off our masks

And again breathe deeply and free

Take out the charoses and gefilte fish

And the saltwater to dip our parsley.

We gather as Jews to recall freedom

From slavery to redemption and beyond

We consider this act happens for us today

And the Exodus is a promise, a bond.

That the Lord will continue to bless us

With abundance and opportunities

In this land where liberty allows us

To do mostly whatever we please.

But we need to remember that freedom

Will often be a cause of much pain.

This Passover the world reflects upon

The suffering endured in Ukraine.

We should hope that the conflict

Will end soon and that peace will finally prevail;

That Zelensky will emerge from his hiding

And that Putin will be sentenced to jail.

So let’s say “Next year in Jerusalem!”

And thank Pfizer, Moderna and J & J

For the vaccines that have proven effective

And sent COVID and Corona on their way.

@2022 Alan Smason