observances observed

i fast, i repent
that is, i don’t eat
and i think
of my transgressions
and what to do better
what i can do better
i flip through the prayerbook
and find passages i never noticed before
i look around
at my community
the people
specifically the backs of their heads
their hair
suits, dresses
shoes
the old, young
how do people stay so trim
well, not that guy over there, and not me
oh, right, focus
be kind, disciplined
set a good example…