Post-JET Life Haiku

In Spring 2008, JETAA NY held a huge Meishi Exchange event and asked attendees ahead of time to submit original haiku about life after JET.  The haiku were posted on the wall around the room and everyone had a chance to choose their favorite.  The following haiku were the ones posted on the wall that we actually remembered to take down afterwards.

Hashi in my hand
Crossing o’er Queensboro Bridge
Let’s St. Marks shi-you!

–Anna Barbaus (Nara-ken, 2006-07)

To Paradise lost
No money to stay in school
dumb, you left Japan

–Seth Dorman (Akita-ken, 2004-07)

I slurp my ramen
From Nakatsu to New York
Soaks up the shochu

–Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06)

From N-train rumble
Through English cacophony
“Hai, moshi-moshi?”

–Anna Barbaus (Nara-ken, 2006-07)

Learning not to bow:
MetroCard Vending Machine
Does not have manners

–Dawn Mostow (Gifu-ken, 2003-06)

Warm udon ordered
In perfect Japanese but
Waiter speaks Chinese

–Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)