Poetica Magazine

The Baal Shem Tov

walked all day

in the forest

He marveled at the innumerable leaves

at the small flowers

that lay scattered at his feet

at clusters of mushrooms

huddled beneath tall stout trees

Lord, I walk with you, he sang

In the evening

the sun dropped

low in the sky

The Baal Shem Tov

came upon a small inn

He sat at a wooden table

and had tea, and bread

When he looked up

a small tree appeared

in the middle of the room

its branches laden with nesting doves

and as he gazed upon the tree

it collapsed into a mound of dry leaves

covering the floor

like ash

About the Author

Deborah Hochberg lives in Detroit, Michigan and is a graduate of Wayne State University.  She is a poet, musician, gardener, and health care provider.  She is the author of two poetry collections entitled Waiting For the Snow and Memory's Reservoir, published by Mission Point Press.