No Shave, No Shoes, No Pharaoh – A poem for Parsha Miketz (Aliyah 1)

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And the cows of ugly appearance and lean of flesh devoured
the seven cows that were of handsome appearance and healthy

It’s desperate times when you
start to eat your own kind.

Even if it’s just a future glimpse
in a Pharaoh’s dream.

You can understand why he
wanted the meaning.

No-one wants to preside over
the end of days.


And the thin ears of grain swallowed up
the seven healthy and full ears of grain

Just a quick note to observe that when
food starts to eat other food

It’s either a magical dinner show or
another sign that the end of days

has arrived.


a Hebrew lad, a slave of the chief slaughterer
…and he interpreted our dreams for us

Just another quick note to mention
you should treat everyone as if

they were the one, or at least one of
the thirty six righteous ones.

Even a slave of a slaughterer
may have divine wisdom.


and [Joseph] shaved and changed his clothes,
and he [then] came to Pharaoh.

Just another ‘nother quick note to tell you
you should always dress appropriately

for the situation. No-one needs your
sweater to make a statement

when the cows are about to eat each other.
Even I wore a tie to the Oscars.

You may not know me, but that is
saying so much.

These poems are offered free for your enjoyment. If you use them as part of an event, meeting, educational or liturgical setting, please consider tipping the author.

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