At my Bat Mitzvah I did not know what a bond was

how to save or make money,

just how to take it

and give a big smile. Bank Leumi sent me a letter.

My folks fished out the gift envelope

with your shaky

full name emblazoned.
Dear Aunt Syd with a Y,

the Avenue J dry cleaning store Rose owned

is now a bodega.

The train still trembles by

I passed it en route to see Gramma

at Maimonaides.

The subway's  $1.50 now

and the fifty you gave me in '82

is a hundred

taxable Dad says

stick it right

in the IRA.
Syd, I envision you

the day before the Bat Mitzvah,

pulling money

from the pink seat cushion

for a special trip

to Manhattan

to make it a gift

for Fritzie's granddaughter,

                     isn't she big?