Exodus
by Lily Jarman-Reisch
“‘Exodus’” is a palindrome or mirrored poem, in which the second half mirrors the first by repeating its lines in reverse order. With its pattern of repetition, a palindrome seemed a fitting form for conveying both the hauntedness of Ukrainian refugees, and the recurring exoduses from persecution—the ‘narrow place’ mentioned in the poem—experienced historically by Jews, including Ukrainian Jews. Many of those who fled last spring from Russian missiles to other countries marked their freedom at Passover. The holiday—suggested in the poem by the seder plate, the bitter herbs, and the soup can used for Elijah’s cup—was first celebrated after the exodus of Israelites from slavery in Egypt.” —Lily Jarman-Reisch
Lily Jarman-Reisch’s poems appear or are forthcoming in The Military Review, Journal of Veterans Studies, CALYX Journal, 3rd Wednesday, Snapdragon, The Fourth River, 1807, Route 7 Review, Rise Up Review, Light, Dewdrop, Gleam, MONO, Mediterranean Poetry, and other international literary journals. A poetry reviewer for The Los Angeles Review, she has been a journalist in Washington, D.C., and Athens, Greece, and has held administrative and teaching positions at the Universities of Michigan and Maryland.