Terzanelle For A Bat Mitzvah Poem by Rachel Dacus

She incants the woman from the girl and sings,
this rabbi in long earrings and a lavender dress,
notes poured from the fount of first things.

Ancient consonants sprinkle the air to bless
my cousin Cora. Rain hisses on the roof.
This rabbi in long earrings and a lavender dress

guides the girl's reading through a small goof.
We follow, mouthing Hebrew transliteration,
steady as rain's hiss on the tiled roof.

Her two mothers beam in the congregation
while Cora reads, intoning ancient praise.
We follow, mouthing Hebrew transliteration,

invoking our Creator with voices raised
beyond time and tradition. Cora unfurls
in reedy tones the Torah's ancient praise.

She points with shawl fringes. Stories uncurl
from the text, as woman does from girl. She sings,
leading a changeless service, yet unfurls
new notes from the fount of first things.