She is the box
where they
wait, watching –
an ancient woman –
who would ever
notice her,
look there?

I was named
for the dream of peace

Va’yidabair Adonai el Miriam-
where are the books of Miriam
recording the teachings visions stories
the people retold and passed on
to their daughters and sons?
Remember
you are born through water,

Tell the story
as if you were once
slaves in Egypt,
as if you were once
the chosen children
of the High Priest
on the eighth day,

and so at long last
this is my offering
commanded from fire and mountain
cleft of rock, an inner
whispering roar

a command
is heard as
if an inner call –
always bring salt
to your offerings
gathered from
sea and tears.