K-JAP: (adopted) Korean Jewish American Princess
I did not want to come to this table,
which is not like Monk’s Café in Seinfield,
and see such sadness that was our booth.
here is where I tasted my first Reuben-sandwich
& matzo ball soup,
potato latkes,
and cream-cheese blintzes.
Dad told me, You eat too much,
which was before mom said,
You look like his Asian prostitute.
I always preferred charoset
over the maror and chazeret,
(sweet rice with apples, bitter herbs/tears).
I wanted this to be funny at the end,
but my spiritual-teacher was a pimp
(type “cantor gordon” into google).
when you’re called to the table, eat.
when you don’t like what you’re given,
wrap the pork chops into a paper napkin
and excuse yourself to the bathroom
to question, how is this like forgiveness?
An Adopted Korean Girl's Dog
my dog has a wild-heart
as I’m sure yours does.
we tromp through snow,
snow boats are my feet.
I feed my dog.
I will not cook her
into a savory stew
with green onions.
I would not name her
Boshintang.
I am patient while she bites
at my ankles,
I run with her through the snow
playing
catch-me-if-you-can,
tugging on the leash,
& coming back
when I hear my name, No.
BO SCHWABACHER's poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in CutBank, diode, Muzzle, Redivider, Tinderbox Poetry Journal, WomenArts Quarterly Journal, Word Riot, and elsewhere. She teaches at Northern Arizona University.
OLIVIER SCHOPFER lives in Geneva, Switzerland. He likes to capture the moment in haiku and photography. His work has appeared in The Red Moon Anthology of English-Language Haiku 2014 as well as in numerous online and print journals. He also writes articles in French about etymology and everyday expressions: http://olivierschopferracontelesmots.blog.24heures.ch/