The cup of Elijah holds wine;

the cup of Miriam holds water.

Wine is more precious

until you have no water.

Water that flows in our veins,

water that is the stuff of life,

for we are made of breath

and water, vision

and fact, Elijah is

the extraordinary; Miriam

brings the daily wonders:

the joy of a fresh morning

like a newly prepared table,

a white linen cloth on which

nothing has yet spilled.

The descent into the heavy

waters of sleep healing us.

The scent of baking bread,

roasting chicken, fresh herbs,

the faces of friends across

the table: what sustains us

every morning, every evening,

the common daily miracles

like the tast of cool water.


haggadah Section: Hallel
Source: Marge Piercy