Wheel of Fortune

October 30. 2018

Tree of Life

When I was a child
we drove from Pittsburgh to Kittanning
to camp along the banks
of the Allegheny River.
On the ride, we sang silly songs.
At night we roasted corn
and made runny eggs for breakfast
to dip in bagels we bought
at a Jewish deli in Squirrel Hill.

There is a breeze
on this cool, fall Florida morning
along the Imperial River
hundreds of miles south of Kittanning.
I lay a spray of flowers
at water's edge.
I whisper prayers
for the Tree of Life.

Author's note: I grew up in Pittsburgh. I have been to the Tree of Life Synagogue. My heart is broken.