Jews and Haikus are
\nA Rorschach test reflecting
\nWho we think we are
\nBeyond the 17 syllables arranged in three lines of five, seven, and five respectively, and beyond the nicely rhyming rhythm of “Haikus and Jews”, this poetic form reveals much about what we believe and how we think about who we are. Not to mention the potentially Biblical roots of this poetic form. My good friend and fiendishly funny Haiku writer, Jed Bergman, suggested an open forum for exchanging these telling little poems, which is just what I am doing.
\nCheck these out for starters:
\n*****
\nLacking fins or tail
\nThe gefilte fish swims with
\nGreat difficulty.
\n*****
\nBeyond Valium,
\nPeace is knowing one’s child
\nIs an internist.
\n*****
\nHer lips near my ear,
\nAunt Sadie whispers the name
\nOf her friend’s disease.
\n*****
\nThe sparkling blue sea
\nReminds me to wait an hour
\nAfter my sandwich.
\n*****
\nJews on safari —
\nMap, compass, elephant gun,
\nHard sucking candies.
\n*****
\nMom, please! There is no
\nNeed to put that dinner roll
\nIn your pocketbook.
\n*****
\nSeven-foot Jews in
\nThe NBA slam-dunking!
\nMy alarm clock rings .
\n*****
\nSorry I’m not home
\nTo take your call. At the tone
\nPlease state your bad news.
\n*****
\nOr, as I responded to the person who sent these to me:<\/p>\n