I’m tempted to rhyme, to watch my cadence, to count syllables, or maybe even don dark clothing and take to a smoke filled slam poetry session. These aren’t my usual temptations- but this isn’t a usual month.  April is National Poetry Month. The Academy of American Poets introduced the month in 1996 with the hope of highlighting American poets and introducing more readers to the world of poetry.

The Jewish Women’s Archive, and Jewesses with Attitude, are pleased to be contributing to the tradition. Throughout the month of April, we will be introducing you to a wide variety of Jewish poets and their poetry.

I’m honored to present the first poet in the series, Annie Jacobs.

I was fortunate enough to meet Jacobs at Kibbutz Ketura in the Negev Desert in Israel five years ago. She continues to inspire me with the connection she creates between the land around her and her words. To read her poetry is to go on a journey, to experience nature, and to be changed. I look forward to sharing more of her words as the month continues.

Travelogue

In Jaffa’s streets

and dark promenade

Mahdi the old man

with a sea-formed face

gave me cactus fruits

fresh fish and coffee. In

Hebrew he told me how

to cook the fish, on a low

flame with a little flour

and an onion he supplied.

When Ramadan arrived

the alleys lit green

children ran like smoke

sweets and meat seeped

from homes. I moved

through colors swiftly

to not fade them, to not

be afraid, to the balcony

where I could see

so many lives

and the sea

and not be seen.

              *

Through an open

window in a Jerusalem flat or

from the small balcony

covered in plants: people

snaking along the street.

I could easily walk to

the silent stone steps

of the Old City

where cats and a boy

eating braided bread

made sounds like

rain drops in a tin.

In this Jerusalem flat

a new friend

with a smile

like my mother’s

wears a parakeet

perched on her head.

She is no less loving to me

than God would be.

Travelogue was previously published in Ilanot Winter 2013. For more of Jacob's writing, see AnnieJacobs.