Night of Yom Kippur. Painting

WE REMEMBER Like no other prayer, Kol Nidrei compels our presence, And not just us alone, But the memorized outline, too, of younger years, The gentle feel of those who tucked us in, who blessed our days, consoled our nights; And came as we do, on this eve, with memories of their own. We, tonight, are memories in the making, Warming seats for others who will remember us In some Kol Nidrei they shall hear when we are gone. . Present too among us are memories more recent, Of what we did, or said, or were, or weren’t, Since last year at this time. Of what we learned or lost; Of kisses that we gave or got; The laugh that lovers recognize. The days of empty wandering, And wondering Where God was. Or knowing with compelling certainty That God was with us Even in despair. Kol Nidrei harbors memory of all this. Its melody persists, insists, Commands; And summons our acknowledgment of time. What we recall of others past, And what we vow to leave behind For others still to come, who will remember us. We kindle this memorial light For those we loved, and those we lost, For all we miss from the year now gone. Let us prepare for Kol Nidrei: Our song of memory. Kol nidrei, v’esarei, v’charamei, v’konamei, v’chinuyei, v’kinusei ush’vuot.