Piercy, "Seder with Comet"

The comet was still hanging in the sky
that year at Pesach, and of course
the full moon, as every year.

After the bulk of the seder, after
the long rich redolent meal, we all
went out on the road walking away

from the house whose lights we had
dimmed. There on the velvet playing
field of night we saw the moon rolling

toward us like a limestone millwheel
the whole sky pouring to fill our heads
a little drunk with the sweet wine

so that the stars sank in with a whisper
like a havdalah candle doused in wine
giving a little electric buzz to the brain.

Then we saw it, the comet like the mane
of a white lion, something holy to mark
this one more Passover with all of us

together, my old commune mates, friends
from here and the city, children I have known
since birth, all standing with our faces turned

up like pale sunflowers to the icy fire.
Then we went back to the house, drank
the last cup and sang till we were hoarse.




Marge Piercy

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