Lo Dayeinu

close up of mosaic of red white blue and yellow pieces
At the Mosaic Midrash Exhibit
 
It isn’t enough to break the plates
And mix the adhesive
To assemble the palette
To find the pearl earring at the bottom of the bin.
 
It isn’t enough to mold the hills
And modge-podge the sky
To attach fruit to the tree
To paint the dove’s wings with sparkling dew.
 
It isn’t enough to form ancient letters
Of soul-comfort prayers
To clean off stray grout
To frame and to label and mount on the wall.
 
Don’t say, “What pretty colors”
Or ask me, “How long did this take you?”
Or “Did you sell many pieces?”
That’s not why you’re here.
 
You, the viewers, are darshanim
Co-creators of midrash
Co-seekers of truth
Mining layers of meaning.
 
To me, you’re the essential
Co-repairer of the world
L’taken ha-olam
With shards and with words.

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