Do you find, as I have, that preparation of homemade Purim treats for mishloach monos is getting to be the exception rather than the rule? All the pity, because it's fun and easy to make homemade candy treats that are usually appreciated more than just another "Brand X chemical-coated-chocolate" candy bar to add to a special shalach monos.

Poet's Corner

The Last Haman
by E. Isaacs

Each "Haman" was closely followed
By a tremendous crash of noise
The enthusiastic labor
Of lively little boys.

Only impatient Mr. Cohen Was literally burning with rage,
"I didn't dare do this
When I was their age!"

Being unable to speak
At the boys he could only glare
And somehow, each boy ducked
His icy, fearsome stare.

Each noisy Haman projected
Every youngster's idea of fun
But poor Mr. Cohen was fuming
At basically -- everyone!

Just like a live volcano
Molten lava seething within
Thus did his blood pressure
Shoot up with each new din.

The reader intoned "Haman"
The clatter was so great
There seemed no end to the banging
And Mr. Cohen just would not wait.

Jumping up and seething
The old man finally erupted
"QUIET!" he screamed with fury,
And the reading he interrupted.

"This racket is IMPOSSIBLE
I cannot stand it any more!
Can't you learn to behave?"
He shouted and stomped out the door.

Outside, breathing deeply,
The fresh, cool night air
Mr. Cohen, with a sudden shock
Suddenly became aware --
This had been the last "Haman!"
The very final one
Now just look at what
His stubborn impatience had done!

He had made of himself
A proper, public fool
And to top it all off
He'd have to find another shul!

He had spoken out in the middle
Of the Megilla reading
He'd have to begin from scratch
And give each word his heeding.

This story is absolutely true
I am sorry to report
And its lesson must be taught.
Daily we face "last Haman"s
In varying shape and size
Can you outwait it with patience?
Do you know where the secret lies?

[The secret is holding one's tongue,
From which each word must be wrung.]