“He who commits a transgression in secret repulses the feet of the Shechinah.”

– Tractate Kiddushin 31a

“But thoughts of sin, which are in certain respects more heinous than actual sin, can manage to rise to his mind and to distract him from the Torah and divine service.”

– Tanya, Chapter 12

Like raging torrents through my mind

foolish thoughts appear from behind

they grasp and clasp dying embers

of holy flames now dismembered.

From a tenant to a squatter

thoughts as these repulsed our daughter

rifled thoughts which caused her pain

thoughts which left her dull and drained.

Neither today nor long ago

would I have thought to plant and sow

a bitter branch for the one I love

a bitter taste in the beak of a dove.