A haibun The pale, glowing semicircle in the Jerusalem night sky represents the first quarter of the Hebrew month of Adar, traditionally the month of increased joy. It signals that the Jewish holiday of Purim is just around the corner... one week away, in fact, when the moon will be full to bursting with elation.… Continue reading Beaming, or: Moony
An American sentence: Traffic thins out throughout Jerusalem on Fridays before Shabbat. What's an 'American Sentence'? Allen Ginsberg, inventor of the American Sentence, felt that the haiku didn’t 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… Continue reading Before, or: After Sundown on Friday
A 'Found Poem' Dear friend in India, Sangeetha, my partner in crime, a hug's the best drug. Jerusalem surprised by snow; after visiting her child abroad, she returned to a changed Russia. Unlike Santa Claus, Ded Moroz wears outfits of various colors. Tomorrow he will die again. Sweetheart, be careful! Raw? Pardon my French, please.… Continue reading Trees find purchase, or: One ray of quiet sunshine
A series of chain verse haiku Jerusalem morn mourners to be cannot know no normal morn this this rough desert plant planted bombs hidden by leaves leave many wounded dead innocent child child lost to destroyed mother there at the bus stop Terrorist bombing in Jerusalem This morning, 16-year-old Aryeh Shechopek, a Canadian Israeli, was… Continue reading Jerusalem morn, or: Mourn
A Choka even though I'm blessed even though it gives me pride even for a cause even with kind, friendly folks even for good pay even with a strong union even close to home even at a storied site It feels much like work to me Choka? The most intricate Japanese Poetry form is the… Continue reading Looks, swims, quacks, or: Silly goose
An American sentence: In Arabic, I request an untorn bag. The cashier smiles, surprised. What's an 'American Sentence'? Allen Ginsberg, inventor of the American Sentence, felt that the haiku didn’t 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… Continue reading All, or: One
I cheated on Jerusalem with Haifa of the free; free; free of strife, of tension, not to mention: of hostility; Floating in Haifa, 'pon the sea, squinting at the sun, one with wave breaks, done playing brave; beaming, having fun; I cheated on Jerusalem with Haifa for a time, time, time; heart charting its smooth… Continue reading Jerusalem, or: Haifa
A haibun I can sleep through almost anything, which is a useful talent to have because our apartment faces a major Jerusalem artery, noisy with traffic, as did our previous apartment. During the day, we are beset by vehicles blaring their horns, as well as the occasional car accident; at night, joyriders rev their engines… Continue reading Orange lights, or: Testy pedestrians
The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱 
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