Lost In Translation Poem by David Whalen

At My favorite Chinese restaurant
The other day, I somehow got to thinking
about ethnicity

I wondered if there were Chinese Jews
So I asked my waiter
Explicitly:

“Do you have Chinese Jews? ”
I innocently asked
my Chinese waiter

“I don’t think so, I really don’t know,
But I’ll ask the manager and
Let you know later”

He returned in a while
And said with a smile
“no…No have Chinese Jews.”

I couldn’t believe it: a bazzillion people
No “Morrys“…“No Sheckys? ”
What astounding news! !

I queried him again
“could you check
Once more my friend? ”

He denied and replied,
“I regret to admit ItAnd don’t want
To offend

But what you ask for
Has us completely
Confused”

“So sorry to say… that for today
We have only: Grape..Orange…Tomato
and Prune Jews.”