The Obligation
The Obligation was published in Better Than Starbucks.
The Obligation
Her sister ran away before she grew large enough to wield a rake. Even then she knew that she dared not to dream, her future laid out in the endless rows of corn, peach orchards, and strawberry fields. As time climbed past and around her and she grew into an adult, her future was sealed in the sweat of the family farming business. She toiled and dutifully filled the shoes of the big sister who faded from memory. Her resentment mixed in with the once rich soil, and a new crop grew out of the earth. It swallowed her whole.
Requiem
Requiem was published in The Penwood Review.
Requiem
On the death of my closest friend from the pandemic
January 19, 2021
Will I know you?
When we meet again
Free of your body
Your spirit soaring
Free of your voice
Lilting and caressing
When we meet again
In the reunion of spirits
No form, no voice
Pure energy
Forces outside the living
Drawn to one another
When we meet again
As I am sure we will
Destined
To reunite in the afterlife
Friends in any space
Friends for all time
Will I know you?
How could I not
Your irrepressible smile
Your gemstone eyes
Your loving nature
Will exist forever
I will know you.
In April, I participated in Poetry in Your Pocket, sponsored by the Hopewell Branch of the
Mercer County Library, NJ, in honor of Poetry Month
Also, 30 Days of Inspiration, the Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County’s poem-a-day paired
with an artwork-a-day celebrated National Poetry Month in April. My poem, stardust, was paired
mid-month with an amazing artist who created a paper collage.
Slow Burn
Slow Burn was published by The Jewish Writing Project.
Slow Burn
none of Solomon’s wisdom was imparted
when my father forced religion on me
like a too-tight outfit
after my grandmother died
before this loss, he was unobservant
holidays spent only over food
overnight, he became a Conservative Jew
and a faithful synagogue member
my Jewishness had been a protective cloak
I donned at my discretion
now his sudden threats and punishments
plunged me into the realm of Gehinnom
coerced to go to synagogue
I dressed in my resentment
endured the hard pew
the incomprehensible ancient language
people shuckling and dipping
like wind-up toys in synchronicity
like the flames of candles
and I ignited
glowing
burning slowly
Poetry Takes Flight
Poetry Takes Flight is currently at Princeton Makes, an artist cooperative located in Princeton Shopping Center.
Recently Commissioned Piece
Helen
The steam from your teapot beckoned us
and we gathered,
embraced by your loving nature
You opened your home, your mind, your heart
shared all of yourself, your customs and culture
over English Conversation and strawberry tea parties
Now you are steeped in our memories,
imprinted on our lives, your name on our lips
as we sip our tea, forever grateful
White Enso is a gorgeous journal that I am thrilled to be part of with my poem i am of earth.
To commemorate Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), my poem Silenced Voices was
included in the 24 th annual Yom HaShoah issue of Poetry Super Highway.
Collaborations are among my favorite creative endeavors! I wrote the lyrics for Home Is Where I Am, which is performed by Mandy Monreal and Cantor Devorah Avery with music by Mandy Monreal. (More music by composer/singer Mandy can be found at Mandy Monreal Music.)