Shtetl by Monika Trotula (Lucent Dreaming Issue 8)

Round like a Passover pancake
watchful and silent moon
has ascended over the rooftops,
daunting dogs.
Kaddish prayers have long diffused,
candles flicker out
dybbuks lurking in the corners
study the white gowns and loose black hair of the sleeping women.
Mice prowl in the walls,
stone wells tranquil,
olive oil lamps keep quiet vigil
while their flames dance with the shadows of the brooms and fire hooks.
Commodes and cupboards being covered in dust
and all the creatures inert and waxen.
Sleep, living things,
the night guardian
has paused the clock now.

Monika Trotula grew up in Poland, moved to London for ten years and disconnected from it for the seaside. She is enjoying a solitary life with a herd of guinea pigs, watching seals from a kayak.
Buy issue 8 today.
Lucent Dreaming is an independent creative writing magazine publishing beautiful, imaginative and surreal short stories, poetry and artwork from emerging authors and artists worldwide. Our aim is to encourage creativity and to help writers reach publication! Subscribe to Lucent Dreaming now, support us on Patreon and follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram

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