I Ask a Man Named Cohen
about my Jewish great-grandma.
It’s probably what you usually
don’t discuss over dinner during
folk music conferences at Kutsher’s,
but he does not seem to mind.
It’s definitely matrilineal.
My dad carried a little brown
Old Testament during WWII
issued to him by the Navy.
The Bible for Jewish Soldiers and Sailors.
He taught me to recite the 24th Psalm
by heart when I was in the 1st Grade.
Why the 24th? People ask me.
I repeat his answer:
Because everybody knows the 23rd.
12 thoughts on "I Ask a Man Named Cohen"
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Interesting poem. The ending piqued my interest, so I looked up the 24th Psalm. It’s quite inspiring
One person’s story made meaningful for everyone. Good. And I shall follow Mike and look at 24th.
Exactly
What are the odds that we both used the wrote the word matrilineal in a poem on the same day. Good poem!
Pretty good odds, I’d say. 🙂
This section especially tugged at my heart.
My dad carried a little brown/Old Testament during WWII/issued to him by the Navy.
The Bible for Jewish Soldiers and Sailors.
He taught me to recite the 24th Psalm/by heart when I was in the 1st Grade.
A story well told, Roberta!
Thanks, friends!
I had to go look it up too. Effective and affecting!
You’ve packed a great deal into this short poem: search for roots, a folk music conference, learning from and elder, showing us your father as a Jewish sailor in WWII, how he shared wisdom. So much information, and your concise approach makes the reader imagine. Thank you!
Now, I must read the 23rd AND the 24th psalms. I’m too much of a heathen to remember…I love this piece for what is left out.
Very nice, Roberta! Love the ending.