Modeh Ani: Yeshiva Poetry Slam Version

It's early and late, always is.  And yet.  I need to write.  It will be incomplete, always is. The last time we had a poetry competition one of the other school's coaches commented with some surprise on my writing: "These adults and kids, who truly love art, even within the framework of Torah, have recharged my faith in humanity." On Monday via Boston my faith in humanity was a minor casualty in a major tragedy, but it did go down. 

Yesterday my school hosted our second annual slam.  In seventeen years of service at the same institution these poetry events make the list of my most fulfilling moments. We won top prize - best poet.  More than that, it was once again an amazing display of and by students who are bright in my favorite kind of way.  I have to head out to school right now and enbrace what today brings.  For a moment I need to pause and thank G-d for yesterday. 

Thank you G-d for the chance to be part of something wonderful.  It is a miracle that these events happen at all and a bigger miracle that they have so many positive splashes and ripples. I am grateful.