Poets To Put to Memory: Ruth Fainlight

Ruth Fainlight poetry takes time to read. She reworks the words sometimes for years. Her writing is lyrical and longing.

            
" On my right hand since then I've always worn the ringmy father and I choseas my twenty-first birthday present.On my left hand, these monthssince her death. my mother's ring:the engagement ring he bought herhalf a century ago, and gave to me, after the funeral....I spread my hands on the desk.Prominent tendons and veinson the back, like hers;red worn skin of the palm that chaps and breaks so easily, inheritedfrom my father. Even withoutthe rings, the flesh of my handsis their memorial.No need for anythingmore formal. Not gold nor platinum and precious stonescan serve as wellas these two orphaned hands." Ruth Fainlight
The hands which do not bear her parent's wedding bands, they are the genetic following of her beloved Mother and Father. Ruth gets to the center of grief, loss and carrying on.In our fast paced world of u-tube and noise, take some time to memorize a few lines. I can feel the sound of the words when I recite Ruth's work to memory as I walk.