from “Julius Jaffe: The Poems” [by Mitch Sisskind]

Aleph art

Julius Jaffe and the Angel of Death

 
Julius Jaffe was carrying a large box of bricks.
The day was hot. Too exhausted to go on,
Julius Jaffe dropped the box and called on
The Angel of Death to rescue him from
This life. Instantly the Angel appeared
And said, "Can I be of service to you, sir?"
Now trembling in fear, Julius Jaffe said,
"No, but how do you like them Cubbies?"
This shows the foolishness of Julius Jaffe!
Parable & Paradox

When Mort Plotkin died Julius Jaffe said,
"Mort Plotkin was a great businessman
"Except he never made any money."
Julius Jaffe added, "He was in the
"Schmateh business except he was
"Never in the schmateh business."
Herman Fishman asked, "Can this be?"
Julius Jaffe answered, "Yes and no."
He added, "Maybe and maybe not."

Feh!
Julius Jaffe said, "I will marry Esther Tabachnik."
He went on, in the name of Rabbi Rabinowitz,
"A man alone in a room — feh, feh, feh! —
"Lilith will tempt him in the midnight hour,
"But Esther Tabachnik's price is above rubies,
"Her husband's heart safely resides with her,
"Nor doth she tempt him in all her days."
Jess Rabin said, "Feh! I mean, congratulations."