An American sentence
Hauling heavy loads in Jerusalem’s heat before fasting? Mistake.
What’s an ‘American Sentence’?
Allen Ginsberg, inventor of the American Sentence, felt that the haiku didnโt work as well in English. Ginsberg decided to remove the line structure of the haiku, maintaining the requirement of 17 syllables total. He felt that removing the line count freed the American Sentence up for the idiosyncrasies of English phonemes.
The requirements:
- Composed in one line;
- Syllabic, 17 syllables;
- Condensed, written with no unnecessary words or articles;
- Complete sentence or sentences;
- Includes a turn or enlightenment.
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
I would think so. Not a good idea. ๐
๐ Terveen ๐ – too late!
Having a strenuous activity is never a good idea in the heat… and fasting after must make it all the more difficult! Hope you are well hydrated!
๐ค Muri ๐ค – I made it through okay!
A perfect thought for this form. Fasting really makes us aware of our bodies in a way we can normally ignore. (K)
๐ค Kerfe ๐ค – thank you
I’ve been in Israel for Tisha b’Av before, and yeah, it’s not ideal weather for a 25 hour fast. I suppose the tables turn for Sukkot. I’ve not spent Sukkot in Israel before, but I imagine the weather is pretty lovely for dining al fresco!
Tzom kal, JYP โค
“Hauling heavy loads” on a camel’s back through eye of a needle: food for fasts
A seventeen-course repast is a poor man’s fast at a holy feast
Yeah, Ginsberg’s American sentence haiku sure don’t hide the madness.
Thank you for leading me here. I appreciate your site’s perspective.
Shalom
And I appreciate your feedback, creativity, and wisdom very much, CES.
โค
David
aside form addressing my ignorance here, I guess I am asking you to stay with the experience and write about that, possibly even facilitating insight. Btw, I found these:
https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/haiku-never-published/
the experience of schlepping heavy things in the heat before fasting?
Hauling heavy loads in any hot place, ever? No.
I’m with you but have no choice in the matter, Ron โค
I am not sure I get this – maybe it’s because I am not a native in two ways; this is how I can make sense of it:
hot in Jerusalem
I haul a big load –
ouch
fasting not yet
sick already:
big schlepp in the heat
big schlepp before Sabbath
I collapse
o Jerusalem
does any/either make sense and/or convey what you were trying to, David? thanks
well – wearing myself out before a 25 hour fast day is not a good idea (from past experience) but there are things that I HAVE to schlep today because there’s no other day when I can do it – so I have to carry heavy groceries (and other things) outside in the heat on the day before the fast, which is unfortunate for me, but unavoidable, sadly!
is the problem that you have to pre-shop? can’t be because you fast? is the problem that you eat more before you fast and are therefore sluggish? or are you just getting too hungry from big schlepp?(But you still have some time to eat?)
if I’m more physically worn out, I feel more sluggish and worn out while fasting…
the best strategy for me, in terms of preparing for a fast, is to conserve my strength.
first guideline: have something to say ๐
as a wise woman once said to me: “Cheeky!” ๐
Silly billy
๐ Andrew ๐
Hahaha its so true!Btw how long do you fast?
๐ Quaran ๐
We fast for 25 hours (sunset to sunset + a little extra)