...the furious whir of the Singer. - Julia Alvarez

Gloved with two potholders, I listened
while she told me not long ago
a girl could not marry until she could roll
her dough so transparent her beloved
could read his Bible through it.

what I know from experience: that writing is a vocation and a practice over a lifetime, with its ups and downs. It teaches me humility, the great democracy of each time having to start over.

Writing is hard work, a huge commitment of time, energy, faith, passion, and there’s nothing shameful in the attempt, even if the work doesn’t end up succeeding. I’d rather let someone else do the public culling — I’m exacting enough in private.