Jewels

December 16, 1993

You told me that we just have to trust

in some things, especially this dough

because you believed in it even though

it stuck to everything, fused fingers together,

cleaved to the table, would not yield

to the kneading heel of the hand.

It simply had to sit a while to ripen some

to be ready for the roller and then the knife

to make the cuts, the true sure lines that go

back to those you can not forget

and forward to those you need

to have close to you.

Go criss and cross, back and forth.

Then let the heat do its work

until the dough is set

into row on memorable row

of delectable diamonds.