in the marina
boats restless
in the rippling waters
in the garden
salamanders hopping
leaf to leaf
sunbathers at the pool
slathered in lotions
glistening
standing majestically
royal palms
guard the road
Tanka
a gloomy Sunday
I sip my wine
and watch the rain
once on such a day
it was the time for love
published in American Tanka Issue 9 Fall 2000
Triolet
Tradition
I enjoy being a
Jew
Tradition that will always be
The sukkah brings us joy anew
to all of us who are "a Jew"
Yom Kippur Book of Life now new
The children sing and dance with glee
I enjoy being a Jew
Tradition that will always be
Old Blue
Sock
My life seems to
be fluff and fold
What happened to that old blue sock
The dryer should be hot—it's
cold
My life seems to be fluff and fold
So many stories should be told
But most of them are just a crock
My life seems to be fluff and fold
What happened to that old blue sock
Betty Kaplan,
US
Halloween 1
Halloween and pumpkin time
the pumpkins did not grow this year
children waiting in a line
Halloween and pumpkin time
Under the tent there is a sign
Buy them early and have no fear
Halloween and pumpkin time
The pumpkins did not grow this year
Halloween 2
witches and ghosts roam the
streets
carrying lanterns made from pumpkins
along with the bags for trick or treats
witches and ghosts roam the streets
is that my brother under the sheets
with my friend john dressed like a bumpkin
witches and ghosts roam the streets
carrying lanterns made from pumpkins
Halloween 3
the night comes to a close
too much candy in that bag
maybe some should be froze
the night comes to a close
a blanket covers the tired toes
white sheets now only a rag
the night comes to a close
all that candy in one big bag
