Charles Chaim Wax Poems

After ten years of teaching
in Brooklyn
I attended
the Rochester Institute of Technology
...

Julia Doyle arrived at Spinoza HS
with visions of creating a real Community
and to that end she announced
all submissions from the faculty
...

“Bernstein, ” said Clarence,
“I seen this girl walking down the street
with her little school books
and I knew she was for me.
...

“Bernstein, I thought you were a man
of integrity and action,
but then you appeared
diffuse and lacking will.
...

I was in luck because Candy sat alone
in Kansas Fried Chicken.
She possessed the soul of a poet
and the body of a sex goddess,
...

Unknown names
too vast for any tongue
to declare, or arms
to lift up
...

Ready Freddy was the local loan-shark,
although no one called him
that disparaging epithet to his face.
He preferred Godfather Arturo,
...

Caught off guard by the question
especially the tone of Treasure’s voice
sad, bitter, aggressive.
“And I’m tired of your talk.”
...

which Chairperson Linda had brought in.
“As the senior member of our Department, ” she began,
“Steve Bernstein has helped us with his experience and wisdom.
Now make a wish! ”
...

I accompanied my sister
and her two children, Navin and Annie,
to Jahn’s restaurant to celebrate Annie’s sixth birthday.
“A Demon” we heard from the booth behind us.
...