“For a river goes out from Eden,
to water the garden
and from there it divides,
becoming four branches." (Gen. 2:10)

The name of the second river is
Tefillah (prayer).
From highland to valley,
and back,
she lifts her voice
from its deep subterranean source.

Speech, song and silence are there,
as well as laughter and tears.

Rising and falling, swelling, swirling,
opening channels and locks,
traversing the land of the Soul,
she arrives -- now and then --
at the edge.
Where, pouring out through her mouth,
she flows into the Sea. . . .