While his wife earned the living, Rabbi Henry <br />studied the Torah, writing commentaries <br />more likely to be burnt than printed. <br />It was rumoured that they needed revision. <br />Smiling, kissing, he bent his head not with 'Please' <br />but with austere requests barely hinted, <br /> <br />like a dog with a bone he worried the Sacred Book <br />and often taught its fringes. <br />Imperishable enthusiasms. <br />I have only one request to make of the Lord, <br />that I may no longer have to earn my living as a rabbi <br />'Thou shalt make unto thee any graven image' <br /> <br />The sage said 'I merit long life if only because <br />I have never left bread-crumbs lying on the ground. <br />We were tested yesterday & are sound, <br />Henry's lady & Henry. <br />It all centered in the end on the suicide <br />in which I am an expert, deep & wide.'<br /><br />John Berryman<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dream-song-136-while-his-wife-earned-the-living/
