The Only Conversation, by Ben Purkert (first published in Jewish Currents, August, 2020)

look how the tide
lifts the boat by
consoling it
saying I’m here
now don’t worry
the boat nods
then looks away
in a distant time
on a distant shore
this is how
the world goes
says the tide
the boat listens
with both oars
in the water

 I came across “The Only Conversation”, and the magic happened… The landscape of vineyards, small towns and neighbors, the traditions and beliefs - all that was left at the distant shore after 30 years of immigration, all became so vivid and talked to me…

The wisdom of tide, the golden lights in the windows and their reflection on the waves all helped me to reconnect to my roots, to the land of hot bread and drops of dew on a cold glass of juice.  It also helped me to touch the meaning of a continuous connection in the world - lives, dreams, distant lands, lost and found, all that is important in the tapestry of our life.  

Grateful to the poet and poem for helping me connect with myself.  I was inspired to create this “Distant Land”.  Working with clay has been a visual language expressing my feelings and thoughts.