Sway

No, this isn't some Yeshiva Guy rendition of the Dean Martin song by the same name. Or even an article about me convincing some poor, lost soul to become Yeshivish. Nope, this post is a...poem. By me. Yup, if you're a fellow Yeshiva Guy, this isn't for you. And never bring this up again- I'd be that embarrassed about it.

If, on the other hand, you aren't a Yeshiva Bochur, by all means read the below terrible example of a Yeshiva Bochur's version of free verse- I know, it's form is a closer cousin to prose than poetry, but then again, if you were expecting dactylic hexameter you wouldn't be here. 

A word of background about the subject:

Typically, Yeshiva Bochurim, when either davening (praying) or learning Torah tend to "shockel" (Yiddish). Shockeling (verb of shockel) is a form of swaying back and forth, typically to a tune or to the famous niggun frequently employed when learning Gemara. Most cheder students ingrain this tune and the associated shockeling by osmosis before age eight or nine. For females, shockeling is less standard, although the extremely greased/yeshivishe ladies and Rebbetzins have been known to do so while in a particularly deep Shemona Esray. The below attempts to describe this scene or act.

I wish 

I could

Join them.

Swaying.

I watch 

Them. Endless rows

Of white shirts

On oak benches.

Swaying.

Wish I 

Could be

Together with 

Them.

Swaying.

Now, Booming debate

Thunderous resolution

By Rebbi.

And again, together

Swaying.

Jealous. Of

All the types.

Learning. Shteiging

Together

Swaying.

But, I can

And now,

Finally. I 

Join them.

I. Am. 

Swayed.