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by Tova Stabin
reckoning:
1. the act of counting; a computation;
2. an itemized bill or statement of a sum
due;
3.. the settlement of a bill or account.
yellow corn silk blushes
kernels plump full and sweet
tomatoes ripen into red rubies
for all day shimmering sauces for
elul
month of reckoning
counting the year
to settle accounts as if were simple
like adding
one and one and in one
dream
I walk through a tunnel
ancient azure tile
leads to a doorway
covered with hebrew
words too blurred to understand
that lead
to a synagogue
a holy place
washed in sunlight when
a tree appears cut at its base:
is the tree alive still or
a painting on tile in a dream
within a dream
this tree of life
with no arms for reaching or protection
no leaves for shade or deep colors
falling and blooming
each year
nothing to count on
but rings of age
in this sanctuary of azure tile
and blurred words without meaning
do we cut ourselves off
just to be holy?
it is elul
to what and to whom shall i reckon:
dreams words color,
time leaves trees,
blushing corn and ruby tomatoes?
what makes a life real
numbering days and visions
each other holding on perhaps
to what is cut off or whole
or bare and judged
like a year of a life or
a month of elul
where we count ourselves exposed
looking for dreams
where there is no need
for protection
where rings of age are all
we can seek
and cherish
as holy
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