Prayer Before Turning On The News

I sit before the TV screen

with remote control in hand.

I want it to stay this way.

This dark, quiet room

without a world in it.

This nothing, this sweet

nothing. The fire truck

toy on the shelf beneath the TV,

look how it saves no one. In this room

there is nothing

burning. Dear God, it is

possible. You are the one

with wings. Shelter us.

Let something have been fixed today:

The deal among the nations signed,

the guns, all of them, taken away,

a woman believed,

a man contrite. A border

covered in dust. God,

I need to know what happened

to those who tried to cross.

What happened after the storm

and earthquake and fire.

I can't be everywhere at once,

but you can. How can I convince you

we are worthy of miracles?

How much longer can I delay

the inevitable knowing,

the daily ritual of witness?

At least bear it with ne,

dear God. Come sit

on the couch, put your feet up,

I'm making tea. Tell me

how this will end.

Tell me if there is a chance.

Or maybe we can bargain for peace?

Trade for redemption?

Give me something,

anything, before I let

the messengers into my room.

I will not look away.

Promise me

you won't either.

Hila Ratzabi. When We Turned Within: Reflections on COVID-19, edited by Rabbi Menachem Creditor & Sarah Tuttle-Singer. 2020.