Mah Jongg Quotes

“Need a fourth?' he asked, earning himself a set of strangely satisfying startled glances. The only way the moment might have been better would be if El had taught Marty the game. But that had been his grandfather, years and years ago. The white-haired man smiled. 'You know how to play?'

'I’d need a card.'

'Card?' Then understanding dawned on the white-haired man’s face. He shook his head. Again, he looked kind. 'Ah. Of course. Jew Mah Jongg. Entirely different game.'

His companions were nodding, too. The guy with the belt buckle said, 'Completely different. Very frustrating. So few ways to win. So many to lose.'

Yet again, Marty felt tears well in his eyes. His uncle’s absence seeping in. 'Yep,' he said. 'Sounds like a Jewish game, alright.'

("Shomer")”
― Glen Hirshberg, The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Three

“Insignificance by Stewart Stafford

From the emerald Draco star,
Fell the coiled Rosslyn figure,
Unwinding into elongated form,
The golden crozier of St Patrick.

Faded gods upon ruined temples,
All came alive, screeching creeds,
Overwhelming minds and bodies,
Fanatics expiring from confusion.

In the shamanic ritualistic dance,
Of an in-out, Hokey-Cokey culture,
Spins the stained mah-jongg piece,
The missing link apes checkmate.

© Stewart Stafford, 2022. All rights reserved.”
― Stewart Stafford