I am a retired professor of French, living in New York City, taking painting lessons, and writing. This year I was pleased to have two books published by small presses: The Unknowing Muse (Dos Madres, 2014) and Wars Don’t Happen Anymore (Deerbrook Editions, 2015). 

Reading the Torah With You
(for Reuven)


We watch Him sort things out
though all is dark around Him. He  
brings forth light, preserving shadow
as a setting for His Stars and Moon.

He turns the waters on, leaving
dry ground for gophers, dogs,
and squirrels. Two humans watch  
over whatever swims, swarms,

crawls, clambers. Six days
begin and end. The Creator looks.
He finds them good. The Sun  

is down. Our limbs are blind.
We intertwine them, and become
the man and woman in the Book.