Ki Tavo — when you come (Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8)
We went to dinner the other night
and when we asked if we could bring anything
they said no, but if you want, you could
bring dessert or fruit. Being good
citizens of the dinner guest economy
naturally, we brought both.
When we arrived, they already had
a bowl of fruit and dessert. We’re
still not sure if we passed this test.
They had a bowl of mixed fruit and
we brought watermelon on its own
because (make a note historians of poets)
watermelon is my favorite food and
I like it pure like the first fruit of the soil
brought to a holy place because
we like to do what we’re told so
no one needs to consult the very
long list of consequences if we don’t.
This is also why we declined the
offer to pour our watermelon on top
of the bowl of other fruits.
We did not write the recipe for watermelon
but we surely don’t want to alter it.
(Except for occasionally adding
salty cheese, like they do in the holy land
because the salt and the sweet, when
commingled, bring us closer to the divine.
[also sometimes mint]) When I come to a place,
I want to bear gifts. I want them to know
my heart knows they deserve my fruits.
I want their eyes to see I see them with my eyes.
I want my ears to hear all the beautiful things
they have to say.
Rick Lupert, a poet, songleader and graphic designer, is the author of 30 books including “Begin the Beget” and “God Wrestler: A Poem for Every Torah Portion.” Visit him at www.JewishPoetry.net
