Fly out of bed
Hit your head on the fan
Watch as it swings 
Dress as fast as you can
Storm to your sister's room
Don't knock, lightly tread
Then bust through the hinges
And leap on her bed.
Shake up the bed
And scream there's a spider
(She'll wake and be mad – but efficient is nicer)
Then skipping with energy, your sister will strut
Go to your brother's room
and jump on his gut.
With an 'oomph!' and a 'hey!' he'll be up and okay
which is great cause it's eight,
it's time for the day!
Once he's awake then dive on your parent.
Yell really loud
Because who needs a larynx?
And this time the dog and the cat are excited
And maybe the neighbors cause their windows are lighted.
Your parent, or two, or grandparents, whoever
Will leap with a start like you twisted a lever,
Now – with sister and brother, parent or pops
With dog or a cat while your neighbors eavesdrop

candles melt, I am running out of time

the husky rolling of R's in the only two prayers I know.

no torah reading, no smiling grandparents. 

How do i identify as something so close to me, 

yet I am so far from it?

the knife slices through the apples

Each slice is a close blow to my chest.

The wine on my pinky

drips down onto my white plate. another drop of regret 

dangling in the back of my throat.

How can i identify as something so close to me, 

yet I am so far from it?

A new year, or a day to atone

my religiousness, always monotone.

I try to think it's not my fault

two sides tore me 

nothing to bore me. 

Just the deep, swishy feeling 

I know i will never have a bat mitzvah 

That doesn't scare me. 

but how will i identify as something so close to me,