So can you read the challah part? And then I want to go back to more of the braided discussion here because this is fascinating.

Okay, so this is called A Braided Heart Shaping the Lyric Essay.

On the first day of my class, writing the lyric essay, I bring in a loaf of challah, the braided bread traditionally eaten for the Jewish Sabbath dinner.

I take it out of my bag and set it on a white cloth at the center of the table.

Before I say anything at all about it, I watch my students' reactions.

Some eye it warily, some avoid looking at it altogether, and some seem delighted, hunger evident in their eyes.

I pass out the syllabus and watch the stapled packets make a circuit around the room, the challah still sitting placidly in the center of the table, innocuous yet full of mysterious power.

Can you talk about that a little bit?