Kever Rachel, Rachel's Tomb

many prayers
today
thousands
at massive demo
near the Knesset
where a self-despising
suicidal government
voted itself in
with plans of destruction
of Jewish homes
towns
farms
communities
--G-d forbid!

but I
and my neighbors
chose
a quieter place
Rachel's Tomb
in Beit Lechem
next to Jerusalem
where Mother Rachel
was buried
when she died
delivering Benyamin
her second son
who never knew her
except as a source
of prenatal nourishment

women
especially women
feel drawn
to pray
at the tomb
of one who
desperately desired children

prayers of great strength
were said
by Rachel's grave
armored against terror
and in the shadow
of the dictatorship
that looms
against us

more prayers needed
and action
from us, too