My Father Writes

"My father writes

Painstaking and determined

my father builds his lattice of words

Have you ever observed a beaver at work?

how it chooses its spot

on the bend of the river,

ponderously assembles

branches of aspen

twigs of willow

cottonwood leaves?

So my father selects his subject

blinkered against the day’s distractions--

a Midrash from Bnei Yissaschar

a quote or two from the Talmud Bavli,

an insight acquired via Gematria

Line after line, layer upon layer

smoothed and strengthened

inserted, replaced

Until at last he can raise his head

in speechless contentment and quiet pride

and allow himself

the trace of a smile "