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Avinu Malkeinu — A New Poem

Know before whom you stand. They are goldmines. They are every possibility.
[additional-authors]
September 10, 2026
NikkiZalewski/Getty Images

Our Parent, our Sovereign –
I’m embarrassed to tell You
we have not been great.

Our Parent, our Sovereign –
We could use a little leeway
for the sake of Your name.
(What is Your name, again?)

Our Parent, our Sovereign –
We need a brand new year.
We know it uses resources, but
please don’t recycle the last one.

Our Parent, our Sovereign –
You’ve got consequences in mind.
Would You consider commuting
our sentences?

Our Parent, our Sovereign –
They keep trying to kill us.
Is there anything You can
do about that? I’m not saying
wipe them out. Maybe just
change their hearts.

Our Parent, our Sovereign –
They say a hurricane is coming.
Can You divert it to an unpopulated
area of the ocean? The fish are
better equipped to deal with it than us.

Our Parent, our Sovereign –
We’re going to list all our transgressions.
Can You use Your magic Wite-Out
and make them go away?

Our Parent, our Sovereign –
You’re really the best. I’m sorry
we don’t call enough. You’ve given us
unlimited minutes, and still
we don’t call.

Our Parent, our Sovereign –
Everyone’s uncle has the plague.
We could use Your vaccine.

Our Parent, our Sovereign –
Tear up the upshot. Let it slide
if You can. We know you can.
We promise we’ll call.


Rick Lupert, a poet, songleader and graphic designer, is the author of 30 books including “Begin the Beget” and “God Wrestler: A Poem for Every Torah Portion.” Visit him at www.JewishPoetry.net

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