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Themes reflect poet’s
reverence fo Pesach
Here are three poems for Pesach submitted by Joe Glazer. Dr.
Glazer won first prize in the annual Callanwolde Poetry Festival
last summer with his poem entitled “Dancing With The Nazis."
The author makes no apologies for the Yiddishisms in the
pieces printed below, absolutely sure that everyone will under
stand...but, he added a glossary anyway.
After Pesach
(In My Father's Time)
There! The end of another term,
time to leave the Rebbi’s scorn
till after Yom Tov in the Fall.
Now for grandpapa’s “colony,"
stack mountains of hay. pick tons
of berries,
drink milk still warm and buttery.
Yankele's waiting at the pond in
the meadow.
I’ll take my clothes off
go swimming with him,
dry off in the orchard
against the sky and sun,
taste apples so green but winey.
If 1 Forget Them...
i
Time for sugaring the raisin-wine,
counting forks and soup spoons,
hanging pinafore curtains:
Passover, season of laughter
lifting sullen winter skies.
Springtime!
Time for stench of acrid
stink-piles, carloads of
feary-eyed cousins
forever in their murderous cold.
Every day, holidays,
fogging our joy.
Springtime!
What Might Have Been
(Dedicated to all the survivors)
Is anyone living in my house,
leaning on the sill of Mamma’s window,
looking over The Mark, gossiping with
Chanah Zaritsky who had a brother
in London, England?
Has anyone found my buried treasure in the cellar
under the stone over the crack in the flooring...
my lucky dreidel, the bouncy bright red ball,
the zloty in my botton-box, and the golden hair-strands of
Malkele Hinde’s?
Can anyone guess 1 slept in that corner,
scratched secrets on the wall'’
What’s happened to Ketzele?
Has the bush I planted Tu B’Shvat
started blooming?
Does anyone know 1 carried a lantern to cheder,
studied Rashi, knew all the prayers,
added sums so fast they called me “Keppele,”
saw a star in the daytime my teacher said
was Vee-noos?
Will anyone believe 1 could smell it snowing.’
The whiteness squeaked and tinkled bell-sounds,
I’d cover my head up and
dream 1 was grown, rich,
much taller...
Owning horses and saddles,
riding bare-back in the summer,
inviting guests for Yom Tov,
nodding fortunes away for Tzedakah
rooted, like a Mensch.
Glossary
The Mark- marketplace, the square.
Dreidel - “Spinner” played with at Purim time.
Ketzele - Little cat, kitten.
Tu B'Shevat - Arbor Day in Israel, 15th day of the month of
Shevat.
Rashi- Acronym for Reb Shlomo It/.chaki, premier commentator
(or commentary) on Torah.
Keppele - Little “brain,” prodigy.
( ee-noos - The planet Venus.
Yom Tov—Holiday, big holidays including guests.
Tzedakah - Donations for various causes and Shut honors,
verified merely with a consenting nod.
Mensch - A “real” person.
Happy Passover
to all our friends
Zelda and Morris Senator
and family
CENTHAUY LOCAUO OOWNTOWN
and BERNIE TESLER
A WINNING COMBINATION
For 35 years Mr.Tesler
has been serving
the Metro Area
and we are pleased
to have him with us.
Bernie invites you
to call him at BEAUDRY as
your automotive needs arise
IN STOCK: READY FOR 1M
M EDI AT
E DELI
VERY fl
WAGONS, SEDANS,
L’s, GL’s
j-+ LX’
s 1
PAGE 17 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE April 18, 1986