“A Sunday-size Puzzle with a Fun Whirlpool Shape”
You know the (re)normalization of antisemitism
is in full swing when the New York Times
justifies its publication of a crossword puzzle
in the shape of a swastika
on the start date of Chanukah
by explaining:
“This is a common crossword design”
The puzzle’s title–
“Some Theme’s Missing”-
tells us that (re)normalization’s return of the repressed
is almost complete;
soon enough
the Times’ denial that
sometimes a swastika is just a swastika
will be unnecessary
as the missing theme returns to consciousness
and the puzzle’s clue for 1 Across–
“I’m in heaven!”-
comes true
as the Jews go down the whirlpool
