In the 7th Grade Mr. Hirata introduced me to the world of Haiku… the distinctive Japanese poetry form written in three lines consisting of five syllables, seven syllables and five syllables. It is the only form of poetry I took to. The form requires a concise use of words to project an image or thought. I loved its brevity. The fact that I enjoy something where brevity is a key feature may come as a surprise to you. But in fact this is consistent with my entire academic experience… as far as I was concerned once I left Miss Caulkins’ 4th Grade, everything connected with the learning process, the briefer the better. <\/p>\n
This was coincidentally the year I also had to begin Hebrew School… an endeavor I found as painful as anything connected with Science and Math. Check that… it was worse. <\/em>There are no dinosaurs in the Torah. <\/p>\n Well, here we are… just before Labor Day and the start of school. It’s a seasonal thing really… Jews begin circulating articles, stories, jokes and the like just before the High Holy Days that loom around the corner. It’s our way to prepare for our Days of Awe. <\/em>You see… we need all 364 Days to prepare for a Fast Day, as it says in the Bible “ready yourself as if you were going to Mars,” and also, “they had no victuals and could not hold on to the Mah Jong tiles.” <\/p>\n What follows is a selection of poems that I first came across two years ago. With apologies to Mr. Hirata, here are some Haiku for your consideration. <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n JEWISH HAIKU <\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n After the warm rain Today I am a man. The sparkling blue sea Tea ceremony– Yom Kippur– Forgive Like a bonsai tree, Jews on safari — The sparrow brings home Our youngest daughter, Seven-foot Jews in Quietly murmured A lovely nose ring — On Passover we<\/p>\n Opened door for Elijah<\/p>\n Now our cat is gone.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Her lips near my ear,<\/p>\n Aunt Sadie Whispers the name<\/p>\n Of her Friend\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The same Kimono<\/p>\n The top Geishas are wearing:<\/p>\n I got it at Loehman\u2019s<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sorry I\u2019m not home<\/p>\n To take your call. At the tone<\/p>\n Please state your bad news.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the 7th Grade Mr. Hirata introduced me to the world of Haiku… the distinctive Japanese poetry form written in three lines consisting of five syllables, seven syllables and five syllables. It is the only form of poetry I took … Continue reading
the sweet smell of camellias.
Did you wipe your feet? <\/p>\n
Tomorrow I will return
to the seventh grade. <\/p>\n
reminds me to wait an hour
after my sandwich. <\/p>\n
fragrant steam perfumes the air.
Try the cheese Danish. <\/p>\n
me, Lord, for the Mercedes
and all that lobster. <\/p>\n
your terrible posture at
my dinner table. <\/p>\n
map, compass, elephant gun,
hard sucking candies. <\/p>\n
too many worms for her young.
“Force yourself,” she chirps. <\/p>\n
our most precious jewel.
Hence the name, Tiffany. <\/p>\n
the NBA slam-dunking!
My alarm clock rings. <\/p>\n
at Saturday services,
Yanks 5, Red Sox 3. <\/p>\n
excuse me while I put my
head in the oven. <\/p>\n