Sassafras 1-2-3-4-5 (Deborah Goldman)

I have always been drawn to plant life, but the leaf forms of the sassafras leaves are

particularly arresting. On a single tree, one can see three distinct shapes: an oval

with a smooth edge, an oval with one lobe projecting on the side like a mitten, and

an oval with two lobes projecting on opposite sides. This peculiarity suggested to me

a symbolic method for counting: combining leaves singly or in groupings I am able to

count to ten. Using this methodology, counting becomes content and also provides

me with repetition that is both practical and metaphysical, soothing and meditative.