Passover 5784

by Roberta Tovey (Melrose, MA)

This year’s Passover approaches.

I am sick at heart.

I’m thinking of adding dill

to the obligatory matzoh balls,

for a change.

Will it make a difference?

For my parents, this was a time 

to remember both unthinkable evil

and unexpected redemption.

This year I see only the unthinkable

burgeoning around me.

Nevertheless I will add dill–

the unexpected herb–

hoping against hope

it will make a difference.

Roberta Tovey has spoken and written about living with depression on TV and radio, as well as in online and print publications and blogs. She has been an editor and published author in the fields of business, healthcare, education, and the environment, and an assistant professor at Clark University. Dr. Tovey received her bachelor’s degree with highest honors at Brandeis University, and her doctorate in English literature from Princeton University. Her poetry has appeared in The Mizmor Anthology.