Prompt: Advice, He Said

The first time I heard Hal Sirowitz reading his poetry was a revelation. His deadpan delivery, and self-deprecating humor, and domestic neurosis had the audience laughing like they were at a comedy club. (He reminded me of the comedian Steven Wright.)

Hal rose to prominence as a regular at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe during the 1990s slam poetry boom. Although seeing Hal read in person was definitely the way to go, he was not what you think of as a "performance poet."

Born in Manhattan and raised in Queens, Sirowitz’s work is rooted in the Jewish-American experience and the specific rhythms of NYC. He was best known for three collections of poems written in the voice of authority figures, including his mother, father, and therapist. All three offered unsolicited, guilt-ridden, and often absurd advice.

Put a Little Enjoyment in Your Life
All work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy,”
Father said, “which is why
we didn’t name you Jack.
We chose Harold. It means
‘Life’ in Hebrew, “Chaim.”
Please show more signs of it.
It’s too late to change names.

That poem and the others used as models on the website this month are available on Hal's website. Sirowitz is the author of five books of poetry: Mother Said, My Therapist Said, Father Said, Before, During & After and Stray Cat Blues.

Hal retired from a three-decade career as a New York City public school special education teacher. He then moved with his wife, the writer Minter Krotzer, to Philadelphia.

Hal Sirowitz passed away on February 24, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 75. His death was the result of complications from Parkinson’s disease, a condition he lived with for over two decades. Despite the physical toll of the illness, Hal continued to engage with the literary community and write, often with the support of his wife, the writer Minter Krotzer.   

For the March 2026 issue, we are asking that you use Hal's style of short poems (14 lines or less) in the voice of someone (of some authority) giving advice. You should include his stylistic "said" that identifies the speaker. Is the advice unsolicited, guilt-ridden, or absurd? Perhaps. But it could also be valid, but unwanted, or only known to be useful at a later date. 

 The deadline, as always, is the last day of the month, February 28. 

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