Noteworthy

In addition to my recently published books, The Earth Claims Her and Hear Her Voice, I am grateful to have poems accepted by a variety of literary journals. Kintsugi, in collaboration with the wonderful artwork by April Zay, won an award for Visual and Poetic Art from the gorgeous journal White Enso.

30 Days of Inspiration: stardust, Bedazzled 

Better Than Starbucks: The Obligation

Poetry Super Highway: Silenced Voices

RVF Poetry Anthology: Reblooms, Stardust

Silver Birch Press:  Playing Monopoly 

The Jewish Writing Project: Slow Burn

The Penwood Review: Requiem

The Poet Family Anthology: Eternal Flame

Tiferet: A Journal of Spiritual Literature: Flight

Tiny Seed Journal: Bedazzled, Helianthus

US 1 Worksheets: Precipice, River of Stones 

White Enso: i am of earth, Moon Dance, Takayama Renewal, Kintsugi

 

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.)

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.

 

 

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