Creating a New Language

His daughter was Sheerah
 who built Lower and Upper Beth-Horon
 as well as Uzzen-Shersh --1Chronicles 7:24

            I am Linda, daughter of Minnie and Larry,
            niece of Rose-- my mother's sister.

Minnie who flattened brown paper bags on the kitchen table and drew dress patterns with a pencil sharpened with a paring knife. Who memorized each year's new Mahjong card and played with the same four women for twenty years.

Larry who read history books and tomes on historiography. Who read the dictionary while waiting for his Postum to cool. Who used handkerchiefs with hand- rolled hems.

Rose who wore high heels everywhere. Who smoked Pall Mall cigarettes and ate in restaurants with white tablecloths. Who slept on a round bed with silk sheets.

           Granddaughter of Yette and Max, Cecilia and David.

Yette who went to English classes to learn how to write in "American". Who sent me to the store to buy the DailyForward ,a Yiddish newspaper. Who cut out Isaac Bashevjs Singer's stories and saved them in a cardboard box. Yette who carried coins in her pocket to give to anyone who asked.

Max who believed in unions and was a Socialist. Who brought home stray animals and loved the circus. Who died too early.

Cecilia who placed potato latkes on brown paper and then served them with applesauce. Who kept a kosher kitchen with two sets of dishes and two sets of silverware. Who once bought a purple dress, purple coat, and purple shoes.

David taught his sons how to paint without leaving streaks. Who prayed every afternoon. Who didn't rush, but let the Hebrew flow into the room. Who lost his name when they Americanized it at Ellis Island.

Great- granddaughter of names not known—lost in Poland and Russia.

Like Sheerah I fashioned new dwellings —for words.