Nice Jewish boy, or: The evil inclination

Indistinct chatter as I made my way
through the door, past the principal's office,
down the hall; 

School aides, most of whom I knew
from my high school years , stared at me, as if
I were covered in glitter or stardust; 

The head aide smiled all nervous-like and said,
"It's nice to see you again; how's college? 
Did you know

I'm not allowed to make you
remove that hat because it's religious?"
Seeing my confusion, she pointed at

my yarmulke; and, as understanding
dawned, I had to fight a great urge to laugh.
Biting my tongue, 

I smiled at her kindly...
but the devil in me wanted to tease: 
"It's my disguise for a bank robbery!"

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d’Verse poetics prompt

Leave Your Hat On

At d’Verse, poets were encouraged to pay homage to the hat in a poem. Metaphorically, we’ve all worn hats! Child. Parent. Grandparent. Career. Poet. Friend. Use one as your muse.

OR you can approach the idea of a hat to symbolize something even more abstract. Are you wearing a hat of forgiveness, reflection, self-pity, support, adventure, hope, bravery, justice, generosity?

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Shay’s Word Garden Word List #17

Poets were prompted to use at least 3 of the following 20 words provided in an original poem:

butterscotch; castle; centerpiece; devils; France; glitter; hissing; indistinct; postman; radio; river; robbery; ruby; silver; stardust; stockings; taxi; urge; wolf; Wurlitzer

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Let’s write poetry together!

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.

–Ben Harper (b. 1969)

Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!