Hanukkah to Me of the stories l was told

Friendship

Hanukkah 
Hanukkah to me is not just light,
But quiet courage burning through the night—
A stubborn flame that will not be undone,
Like whispers rising where hope has won.
It’s not just songs or latkes crisp and gold,
But stories passed, more precious far than sold.
Eight nights of memory in every spark,
A family’s laughter lighting up the dark.
It’s Grandma’s hands, worn soft from years gone by,
Spinning the dreidel ‘neath a wintry sky.
Her voice recalls the Temple’s sacred flame,
And how one cruse outdared the conqueror’s name.
It’s children’s eyes, wide with ancient pride,
As candles climb with love we can’t hide.
Each shamash lit, a guide, a spark, a key—
A tiny sun declaring: We are free.
Hanukkah to me is oil and awe,
The kind that helps a broken world restore.
Not just a victory carved in stone or scroll,
But every act that lifts the human soul.
It’s cooking joy in bubbling pots and deep,
The scent of love we don’t have time to keep—
Yet here, we pause. We bless. We kneel. We sing.
And in that pause, we find the strength to spring
Back into life with courage soft but bold,
For miracles aren’t just from days of old.
They’re in the way we love, forgive, and fight—
To kindle peace, to guard what’s true and right.
So when the menorah’s final candle gleams,
And shadows shorten into hopeful dreams,
I see not just the past, but what will be:
Hanukkah to me—is hope, and me, and thee.
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Comments +

Comments6

  • sorenbarrett

    A seasonal poem of light, history and the present in hope and cheer for a new year. So well written and with a sense of warmth. Nicely written

    • Friendship

      Thank you, my friend, I appreciate you stopping by and reading my poem, and for your kinds words.

      • sorenbarrett

        You are most welcome Friendship

      • Tristan Robert Lange

        My friend, this is deeply moving…the family memory, the stubborn flame, the insistence that miracles continue through how we love and act. You honored tradition while speaking directly into the present. Beautiful work, Friendship. Happy Hanukkah. 🕎✡️ 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛

        • Friendship

          Thank you, my friend, I appreciate you stopping by and reading my poem, and for your kinds words.

        • orchidee

          Good write F.

          • Friendship

            Thank you, my friend, I appreciate you stopping by and reading my poem, and for your kinds words.

          • Thomas W Case

            Beautiful.

            • Friendship

              Thank you, my friend. I appreciate you stopping by and reading my poem.

            • Paul Bell

              Poem of hope after the events in Australia, though I'm not sure if you wrote it before that.
              Special occasion, and we can't get enough of them.

              • Friendship

                I appreciate your visit and taking the time to read my poem, which I wrote the night before the tragic Australian massacre. My heart goes out to the innocent victims of this senseless act, and I condemn the brutality that occurs in our world. Despite the darkness, I penned this poem as a testament to the resilience of my Jewish husband, who passed away.

                • Paul Bell

                  Great tribute.

                  • Friendship

                    👍❤️

                  • Megan Blaney

                    Happy Hanukkah! What a lovely poem filled with warmth and cheer for the holiday 😊 💖

                    • Friendship

                      Thank you, Magan Blaney, I appreciate your visit and taking the time to read my poem. Thank you for the warm wishes.



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