Judith van Praag

Where I’m From #4By Judith van PraagInspired by George Ella LyonI am from one knife cuts all,Red leather sheath protecting blade and fingersFrom Sunlight soap, Potassium Permanganate and Vim.I am from “met de Franse slag,” clean enough for the eye,Artistic, Bohemian, a raven’s nest.I am from reading under the elmsDandelion stains, daisy chains and horse manure(earthy, solid, fertilizing).I’m from New Year’s Eve starting the morning of the 31stRed beet haring salad, canned salmon, jenever, and refusing to kiss.From JP with the golden hands and twenty years younger doe-eyed NitaI’m from volatile and patient, patientFrom Passover Seder to Christmas carols and atheist prayers.I’m from the sandy North Sea beach and Prague in the eastI’m from slow cooked offal, snapping beans andPeeling oranges and apples countless waysI’m from coffee black, or au lait, mocha cake and kugel with pears.From the grandmother with a black purse,The other who refused to wear the cloak of mourningYoung widow with three teens and a twenty-year-oldAfter the flu of 1918 took her husband without warning.I’m from diamond cutting, quatre mains, and pencil pushingI am rough, hiding and eager to shine.Where to find Judith:Website: https://judith-van-praag.pixels.com/And https://www.dutchessabroad.com/index.htmlWhere to find Alyson:Website: https://www.alysonshelton.comSubstack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/