The Blessing of Bounty

The blessing of bounty is a fragile one.

So you reap what was sown,

though the corners are not yours.

Harvest the last of summer's promise,

and live, for a time, only

sheltered by grace.

Look up! Look up!

The lattice-worked heavens

of sun and moon and stars

dapple your harvest

of paper chains and pasta art.

The blessing of bounty is a fragile one.

Harvest the wind, gusty with rain

and the first fruits of cold.

Sit with me for a timeless time,

and feel the earth beneath us.

Let us be sheltered by graceful impermanence.

The blessing of bounty is fragile,

But oh! what a glorious thing!

Gathered Family - a poem for the Omer, day 3

You are the gathered family,
the one found along the way,
not necessarily the one
of bones and blood; met, probably,
before time was measured
in hours, or days,
but merely collected,
like rain in a bucket.

Long past this now,
these hours, this day,
when hearts sigh, and grieve,
and all your gathered family,
we found ones who have loved you
since before time was counted,
we will carry you with us,
a sweet memory of gathering,
of finding along the way,
and blessing.


for my Aunt Donna,
zichronah liv'r'cha