Much of poetry is informed by music and sound. With their components of melody, harmony, rhythm, and tone, music and sound have the power to captivate the essence of beauty and to capture movement and urgency in a direct and unique way. However, there are complex reasons why a poem is undertaken as a creative endeavor - at times, more than beauty is sought and other than urgency demanded. The poems this book contains concern primarily Jewish themes. Some are personal and autobiographical, some religious and reflective and some contemplative. As a Baal tshuva (a returnee to observance) Jewish identity, community and aspirations have been important organizing principles in my life and the life of my family. In each poem, a longing to hold the bonds that unite is aspired to and a yearning to that which distinguishes and elevates is hoped for. J.F.