BMP7
nzpoetsonline
Larry Jaffe
country : United States of America
bio:
 
Larry Jaffe is the Poet/Host at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage (www.autry-museum.org) and the International Readings Coordinator for the United Nations Dialogue among Civilizations through Poetry program.  He was recently appointed as the Host/Organizer of Elixir's first Buddha Jam (http://www.elixir.net/poets/info.html).  He has been featured at numerous readings and poetry festivals throughout the United States and abroad including the Hammer Museum, Japanese American National Museum, Comedy Store, Autry Museum, University of Texas, UC Northridge, UCSB, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles Poetry Festival, Austin International Poetry Festival, San Luis Obispo Poetry Festival, Bristol, Paddington and Birmingham Poetry festivals.  Jaffe is the Co-chair of Poets for Peace (www.poets4peace.com) and has spearheaded organizing poetry hosts around the world through the Poetry Host community group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/poetryhosts).  

His work can be found in numerous publications and anthologies like Urban Spaghetti, Saturday Afternoon Journal, Staple Gun Press, Poetry Magazine, Sic, Firefly Magazine, Daimler Chrysler’s Spirit in the Word, Will Work for Peace, Short Fuse, The World Healing Book, The Book of Hope, etc.  Jaffe’s books include Jewish Soulfood available from Dead End Street Publications (www.deadendstreet.com), Unprotected Poetry CD and book from PoetWarrior Press (www.poetwarrior.com).  Pudding House Publications has just released a special book of Jaffe’s Greatest Hits along with several other poets.  Salmon Publishing in Ireland will be publishing his forthcoming book Lying Half-Naked in the Doorway.  In addition, Lummox Press is about to publish his book of poetic noir L. A. Rhapsody.  Each month Jaffe writes a poetry column for www.about.com Museletter and he is an editor for Web del Sol.

BMP7
nzpoetsonline
Making Lampshades 
 

Picture Nazi lamp makers, 

divine artistes keeping lights 

on for the Nazi Republic.

 

–carefully laying out hides 

scored of Jewish flesh…

 

Magnifying lenses wave  

from cadaverous skulls

meticulously searching 

for flaw and scar..

 

Hands caress skins, 

sorting perfect backs

sans freckle and blemish

for perfect lamps 

shining bright into 

the darkness.

 

Nazi craftsmen drink beer, 

smoke cigarettes, joke as their

ash spills on skins…

 

— only making lampshades

not burning bodies… 

 

Dismissing thoughts of 

carcass stripped bare 

of hide as filigree gold 

melts from teeth

to make… lamps.

 

—  religious eloquence, and human touch 

 

Nazi artisans follow detailed 

instructions on the assembly

of lampshades manufactured 

of fine Jewish leather.

 

Courteous Nazi craftsmen

draw upon resources 

concentrate on technique 

quietly immortalize six million 

Jews in light.

 

 

 

© 2003 lgjaffe

 





Toy Fire Engine of Peace
 

When I contemplate peace, I recall 

a moment from my childhood, when 

a sun so distinct, I could see each 

ray individually.  (I was four – the

feeling still lingers.)  I pedaled to an

imaginary fire, rescuing victims, instant

hero suddenly made, smiling and waving to 

everyone in pristine wonder.  A newly

found celebrity pedaling up and down

the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach. 

 

I have kept this memory intact

for many years as an act of defiance, 

knowing it might not last – it still 

brings joy the reality of the ocean, sun 

and the little red fire engine.

 

 

© 2002