Happy New Year

Happy New Year, fellow Jews!
To others, this may come as news
But 5780's here
As Jewish calendars make clear.

We listen to the shofar's* call
And watch the minutes slowly crawl
Until from temple we retreat
To do what you'd expect - we eat!

Some apples dipped in honey start
The celebration and impart
The sweetness of the year that waits
If what we hope reverberates.

To most, it's just another day
To wallow through, for come-what-may
But if you've heard the shofar's sound,
May all good new year's joys abound!

*a ram's horn, blown on Rosh Hashanah,
the Jewish New Year 

Gender-Neutral Dolls

Barbie and Ken, you can now step aside
For Mattel's bringing new kids to town -
"Creatable World," as the dolls will be called,
In all skin tones from pale to dark brown.

Each doll comes with wigs, both a short and a long
And a wardrobe with skirt, shirt and pants,
So when children are playing, all choices are fine
And no one will be looking askance.

For gender-neutrality now has a place
In the market for fashion and toys
And being inclusive, the experts agree,
Curbs intolerance ere it destroys.

Though researchers found much support for these dolls,
Acceptance remains to be seen.
I myself am confused but I guess they'll be loved
By those children who feel in-between.

The Finger

We're on the highway, middle lane;
Some motorcycles pass.
The car in front slows down; my husband 
Presses on the gas

And eases left, right in the midst
Of Harleys fore and aft,
Not knowing that, in biker world, 
By accident, we'd gaffed.

We soon found out, though, for a hand
Shot up with finger thrust
Straight in the air - the middle one,
You've figured out, I trust.

We got the message, loud and clear,
And ceded them their lane
For choppers seem to rule the road;
That finger made it plain.

Floating Smile

A smile was floating in the sky 
Before the sun broke free.
I hope that others noticed it
Aside, of course, from me.

For such a sliver of the moon
Is magical and rare,
With just a hint of what we know
Is hanging, hidden, there.

The early morning risers
Who look skyward from the street
May, from time to time, be in for,
Like today, a happy treat.

Waiting at Pier 11

Helicopters hover;
Boats bounce on the waves.
Seagulls swoop and pigeons strut;
A toddler misbehaves.

Tourists take their selfies;
Cars in traffic crawl.
New construction blocks the sky 
With buildings thin and tall.

Water laps the pilings;
Clouds conceal the sun.
Another session waiting
For the ferry has begun. 

Oh, to Meter!

I have a friend I’ve never met.
She lives real far away and yet,
For her I have a great affection;
There’s an absolute connection.

If I passed her on the street,
We likely wouldn’t get to meet
For how she looks, I have no clue;
Her avatar will have to do.

And since that is a dragonfly,
It won’t help me identify
This poet from the Isle of Man
I’ve come to treasure, dear sweet Jan.

Her verses are a joy to read,
The humour almost guaranteed
And many on the Soup receive
Supportive comments she does leave.

We Soupers are a lucky crew
But if you’re in the favored few
Who call Jan Allison a friend,
You’ll understand the poem I’ve penned.

Police Boats

There’s a police boat on the river
With a flashing bright blue light
Keeping watch to guarantee this week
That all will be all right.

For the General Assembly’s
Taking place at the U.N.
And if trouble happens, no one knows
The where, the how or when.

So the cops and even Coast Guard
On the water do patrol
With the safety of the delegates
Their one abiding goal.

Yet I cannot help but wonder
If they think there is a chance
That some bad guys would attack
Via that watery expanse.

Guess they’re covering the bases
For you never can be sure
Though those boats with police and weapons
Don’t make me feel more secure.