Real Estate Poem by Robert Hensler

Frightened in my dark at 4 AM,
I shall name my place Kazakhstan

And declare its borders what its borders are

Our language shall be Hebrew, and late at night
when I can’t sleep I shall tap out the rhythyms

of Shma Israel Adonai Elineinu Adonai Echad
on my bounteous table with happy sticks.

Tap tap, tap tap, tap tap tap.
Baruch Atta Adonai

Tap tap tap, tap tap, tap, tap tap.
Eliheinu Maloch Ha Olam.

Mounted soldiers. Yes. Several.

Guards at the gates.granting passes of entry
to all who salute my flag and its contents.

Just the crisp snap of steel locks and
cold shoulders to those who don’t.