Watercolor painting by Cathleen Cohen
shehakol niyah bidvaro … at whose word all came to be
Lately I eat with a frenzy
like the squirrels,
who tangle the yard
like the squirrels,
who tangle the yard
with silver threads,
seeking crickets and acorns.
Oak leaves yellow
seeking crickets and acorns.
Oak leaves yellow
like the soft skin of pears.
How I ache
to purple my lips with chokeberries,
How I ache
to purple my lips with chokeberries,
to crimson my tongue with yew.
But wait!
It’s toxic and might fluctuate
But wait!
It’s toxic and might fluctuate
my heart rhythms.
Try to slow down,
warn the wise voice in my head.
Try to slow down,
warn the wise voice in my head.
Say a blessing
for desire,
for each mouthful,
for desire,
for each mouthful,
be it vegetable or grain,
fruit of the ground or vine.
But which prayer?
fruit of the ground or vine.
But which prayer?
I hold up a banana,
which blossoms like ginger.
Is this fruit, plant or herb?
which blossoms like ginger.
Is this fruit, plant or herb?
Don’t fret about terms,
she croons.
Just watch the squirrels
she croons.
Just watch the squirrels
who scribe the earth
with holy texts
of their hunger.
with holy texts
of their hunger.
