Elizabeth Kalman

Kafka’s grave is in the Jewish Cemetary. This photo was taken through the fence, because here in Prague the hour of closing is just a suggestion. If something closes at 5, for example, the guards chase you out at 4:30 so it can be closed at 5. Exactly. So, Kafka’ grave, as photographed through the gate, is shaped like a crystal. Enlightenment and all that. It used to be covered in sod, but according to Jewish tradition it’s good luck to place a stone on a grave. The faithful were literally tearing up the landscape in search of rock. Then, the authorities put two blue buckets full of rocks by his grave, but that was a lame gesture. Now his grave is simply covered in rocks, pick one up, place it somewhere else, problem solved. I think Kafka would have found the entire predicament hilarious and would have included it in a novel.