Passover Poem: ‘The Seder Circus’
The Seder Circus
By ALAN SMASON
In case you didn’t know, it’s my favorite time
When the Seder Circus train comes to town.
They’ve got animals of every description and size
And every famous performer and clown.
Ringmaster Moishe’s in charge of the train
That travels on tracks near and far
Handsome is he with his long white beard,
And reminds us some movie star.
What makes this circus different from the others,
You might ask? Apart from a Cirque du Soleil?
Well, it just that this circus is kosher for Passover
And gets started without much delay.
The elephants eat only matzah brie
The horses eat gefilte fish
The camels dine on charoses
Which is their most favored dish.
There is no popcorn at this circus
But the rabbis say not to worry
This year’s it’s okay to eat quinoa
And you can cook it up in a hurry.
The ringmaster brings out his brisket
Which he cooks in the center ring
The dry rub of spices and condiments
Will surely make your tastebuds sing.
And, yes, there are bitter herbs
Along with salt water for tears
But the bitter herbs taste more like apples
And the water’s like artichoke spears.
The daring young men on the flying trapeze
Carry on with a loop de loop
And if you ask them where they get their energy from
They’ll point to their matzah ball soup.
And I know you’ll find this hard to believe
That the tigers and lions are docile
Their trainer makes them chew on an old lamb bone
That resembles a T-Rex fossil.
I can’t say what powers that bone possesses
To make those big cats so sleepy
But whatever that Pascal Lamb’s properties are
I tell you my friend is real creepy.
The Seder Circus offers strong wine to drink
As each act is introduced to you
And when the meal is over, my friend
You’ll know what it means to be a Jew.
Jews know what it was to flee Egypt land
And for redemption, they just had to believe
That the strong arm of G-d would deliver them
And freedom they would receive.
So, tonight, let’s listen as Ringmaster Moishe
Calls out to you, from the Seder Train
Next year in Jersusalem, his haggadah reads
And for that you shouldn’t complain.
© 2014 Alan Smason
