Who is mother
Of more than one
Is not the same
As the mother
Of an only son
Who never became
Anyone’s father—
Still only a son
As an old man—
What I have not done
Made me who I am.
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Who is mother
Of more than one
Is not the same
As the mother
Of an only son
Who never became
Anyone’s father—
Still only a son
As an old man—
What I have not done
Made me who I am.
Samuel Menashe is the author of many books of poetry, including The Library of America's New and Selected Poems. In 2004 he received the inaugural Neglected Masters Award from The Poetry Foundation.
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To make change, movements need to build endurance—the capacity to keep people showing up despite their differences.
most days, during some mid-day hour, / I close my eyes and say the Sh’ma. / But it’s always the wrong time of day, / and it’s the only prayer I know
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