Grandma Sarah would often say “talk to the animals,” not as a genuine suggestion of possibility though, it was her way of saying “nobody will listen to you.” I talked to the animals when I was a child. I still do. The animals listen, but keep their wisdom to themselves. They have learned through experience that humans don’t listen to what animals are saying, so why bother talking. Sometimes I gently hug a tree and talk to her. I’m not sure if she is listening, but she does talk to me. In her gently waving branches she shares her wisdom about the holiness of place and being rooted there. Our sages tell us that we were exiled from Paradise because we gained knowledge of good and evil. But perhaps it was because we lost knowledge of the holiness of roots and place. That is why I talk to the animals and listen to the trees. To remember.
©2023marthahurwitz
Wrestling with Angels 
Hello Martha. My grandmother was also name Sarah I wanted to Paula or Susan Sarah about that did not happen. my grandmother, Sarah fixed huge meals for farm workers. There was a big table in the kitchen, the buyer they cooked on, was wood. There was a large bin with flour in it, and she would pour her sour milk and soda into that to make biscuits. It was wonderful time in my childhood. They lived in Pierce city Missouri. I’m so happy you are sharing your poems with us. It is lovely here today. Very quiet and not too hot. I am sitting on the front porch. Eating split pea soup and drinking a little beer.
I
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