"hanukkah" poems
A beer can, phone book, a grapefruit
and an Advent wreath
with four candles
in its nest of greens
Two weeks
Two lit
Third one's the Pink
a life three quarters spent?
Next weekend
Saturday-- The Sabbath
falls in Hanukkah
“Blessed art thou, Lord our God
King of the universe
who dost create lights of fire...”
I'll light that third-- the pink one
like a barbarian wise woman
who traveled too far along life's way
to find a Jewish baby, wrapped in rags
...or, was it the old guy that night
lying in the street
outside a New England bar
“Oh Christ! Ya gotta be kidding me!”
Nope, He was there alright
Wallowing in the freezing slush
amid his helpless drunken cries
No cell phones then
Scrapped my pizza plans
On foot alone
waving in frustration
in the passing headlights
a turquoise, wind-crazed scarecrow
______
“Someone's gotta stop?
Someone has to help us, don't they?”
______
Now there are two beer cans
a grapefruit, and a phone book
beside the advent wreath
Third candle lit and leaning out
for hope along the way
Dec 15, 2017
Dec 15, 2017 at 3:05 PM UTC
***Put on your yamaka, it's time for Hanukkah
So much fun-akkah to celebrate Hanukkah,
Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights,
Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights.
But when you're the only kid in town without a Christmas tree, Heres a list of
people who are Jewish, just like you and me:
David Lee Roth lights the menorah,
So do James Caan, Kirk Douglas, and the late Dinah Shore-ah
Guess who eats together at the Carnegie Deli,
Bowzer from Sha-na-na, and Arthur Fonzerrelli.
Paul Newman's half Jewish; Goldie Hawn's half too,
Put them together--what a fine lookin’ Jew! [Esus]
You dont need Deck the Halls or Jingle Bell Rock
Cause you can spin a dreidel with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock--both Jewish!
[Esus]
Put on your yamaka, its time for Hanukkah,
The owner of the Seattle Super Sonic-ah celebrates Hanukkah.
O.J. Simpson-- not a Jew!
But guess who is...Hall of Famer—Rod Carew--(he converted!)
We got Ann Landers and her sister Dear Abby,
Harrison Ford's a quarter Jewish--not too shabby!
Some people think that Ebeneezer Scrooge is,
Well, hes not, but guess who is: All three stooges. [Esus]
So many Jews are in show biz--
Tom Cruise isn't, [tacit] but I heard his agent is. [Esus]
Tell your friend Veronica, its time to celebrate Hanukkah
I hope I get a harmonica, on this lovely, lovely Hanukkah.
So drink your gin-a-tonic-ah, and smoke your mara-juanic-ah,
If you really, really wanna-kah, Have a happy, happy, happy, happy
Hanukkah……. HAPPY HANUKKAH!***
Dec 15, 2012
Dec 15, 2012 at 10:35 PM UTC
The 8 Days of Hanukkah
On the first day of Hanukkah, my rabbi gave to me - A Torah portion that I can't read.
On the second day of Hanukkah, my rabbi gave to me - Two loaded bagels and a Torah portion that I can't read.
On the third day of Hanukkah, my rabbi gave to me - Three spinning dreidls, two loaded bagels, and a Torah portion that I can't read.
On the fourth day of Hanukkah, my rabbi gave to me - Four Shabbos goyim, three spinning dreidls, two loaded bagels, and a Torah portion that I can't read.
On the fifth day of Hanukkah, my rabbi gave to me - FIVE Maccabeats, four Shabbos goyim, three spinning dreidls, two loaded bagels, and a Torah portion that I can't read.
On the sixth day of Hanukkah, my rabbi gave to me - Six mohels brissing, FIVE Maccabeats, four Shabbos goyim, three spinning dreidls, two loaded bagels, and a Torah portion that I can't read.
On the seventh day of Hanukkah, my rabbi gave to me - Seven Jews a-kvetching, six mohels brissing, FIVE Maccabeats, four Shabbos goyim, three spinning dreidls, two loaded bagels, and a Torah portion that I can't read.
On the eighth day of Hanukkah, my rabbi gave to me - 8 burning candles, seven Jews a-kvetching, six mohels brissing, FIVE Maccabeats, four Shabbos goyim, three spinning dreidls, two loaded bagels, and a Torah portion that I can't read.....
Dec 19, 2016
Dec 19, 2016 at 5:41 PM UTC
December is a time when most people celebrating
Whether it be Christmas
Kwanzaa
Hanukkah
Or whatever it is you celebrate
For me it's a cruel reminder of what January brought
A warning I ignored until it was all too late
We spent everyday together all month long
But after December passed and January came....
I got a call and that was that
Death took him away
On that cold January fifth
Three years ago
Dec 7, 2015
Dec 7, 2015 at 12:28 PM UTC
i.
last week you were sitting by your window watching the sun melt into a thousand shades of darkness and you thought of her. you still remember how she always smelled like lavender and roses and peonies and freshly mowed grass and rain - a living breathing walking talking singing dancing growing but ever so slowly dying garden. you suppose she must've smelled like cigarettes as well, since she went through a pack a week, and the whiskey she laced her coffee with and the teabags she used as toothbrushes, but all you can remember is the garden of her mind and the green of her thumbs that planted flowers in-between your ribs and turned your blood to a breeding ground for aphids. a single lotus flower can live for a thousand years. a single memory can live even longer.
ii.
on the train ride to paris she didn't think of you, instead she counted all the prime numbers from one to one thousand and kissed a boy with oceans for eyes. you came home to an empty house in february, a receipt for valentine's day roses still fresh in your wallet. all of your belongings were still there, tainted with the memory of her - the set of calligraphy pens she got you for hanukkah, the sweater of yours she would always wear in the mornings after *** while drinking coffee and filling out the crossword. the endless number of bobby pins she'd left in your bedroom were still there, littering your floor like land mines. you found the flowers she planted in your veins tossed in the trash, and you spent hours pulling each petal from its receptacle and deciding that if she'd ever loved you she would have chosen something gentler than forget-me-nots to sew into your veins. the seeds of a lotus flower must be cracked before they can be planted, must be broken to allow the water to seep into them and breathe possibility into their veins. your heart is cracked, have you blossomed yet?
May 27, 2015
May 27, 2015 at 11:07 PM UTC
I’m not Jewish.
I just want to talk about Hanukkah.
Since we have Christmas break, what about Hanukkah break?
It’s a holiday, too…
What an interesting holiday, Hanukkah.
The story of the Maccabees and the candles.
But why doesn’t everybody know about the story?
Everyone knows the Christmas story.
Well…
What’s the excuse?
We don’t hear about decorating menorahs,
Or singing Hanukkah songs.
There aren’t any shopping sales to buy Hanukkah presents.
Why?
It’s just as important a Christmas.
What are the reasons?
I feel bad for the Jewish.
They sit and listen to Christians talk about Christmas all year.
Do they celebrate both holidays now?
Well, what can I do?
The Jewish seem to be fine with all of this…
Mar 21, 2013
Mar 21, 2013 at 8:01 PM UTC
Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday,
We all think of it as just a cycle,
But when it hits December,
And its almost winter,
You open the chocolate calendar,
And pop out a sweet chocolate,
You listen to Christmas music,
or light the Hanukkah candles,
Buy the Christmas tree, and light the simple candles.
Then you count down the days, to Christmas time.
Dec 10, 2015
Dec 10, 2015 at 2:23 PM UTC
4
Mi
Mum
Like two crows fighting over the box seats of the telephone wire.
raGe ragE guilt guilt ..
peck, peck... punch.
Dear Mr. Rabbi, its Hanukkah my good Sir. Merry Christmas:)
.....Wheres my sugar.
Shackles tear my mi skin, holding my heART hostage.
W
H
Y
?
Must i...
kangaroo Christmas cup
take out anger on you?
i dont try,
I
H A
e e r
a t
r t
You.
But I hurt you.
Bruises of blue stain mi heart.
Dominate genes
Plague the Playground.
AIR RAID she's on the move.
Boiling, toiling, troubl
tinsel.
Clinton masks, smiles not included
Sick joke.
(APLAUSE)
....not funny.
eyes of ice, melting out in Spring...drip drop
let's go kids, track marks, and tick tocks.
My body the "Land of the Free" call the editor, false statement.
I'm giving it all away, im giving in,
My Godzilla temper. Peace and love, my mum.
"No, Thank You"....im not fond of___________ soup.
Your little Satan,
M.E
(From the deepest cockles of my black heart.)
Aug 14, 2011
Aug 14, 2011 at 10:19 PM UTC
Culture is sometimes just a way of showing who the person truly are. A country’s culture shapes everyone’s life that lives the that area. The ways that trading has affected culture is extraordinary. It changed the way we look at each religion and ideas all over the world. Trading helps a country’s culture because it spreads to grow a culture, makes other people see and understand the other cultures, and opens up new ideas.
Without trade life would be different. Trading made the whole world be able to expand to new regions and eventually get along with one another. The native americans hating the fact that Europeans moved into their land and took over everything. Eventually, they began to get use to each other. It took time, but eventually they got the hang of it. It made the world be able to expand to new regions while being able to get along and not **** each other. Honestly, without trade the world would be less diverse and not able to be joined into one.
Trading could help make the countries understand that they are different and that the world is better if they are different from each other. Take religion for an example, without the trading and exploring there would only be one specific religion for an area. That could be good, but it could also be very bad. Country leaders controlled their country by the religion a lot of times. England use to be only Catholic, so when they made colonies in America they ended up to be Catholic as well. The natives had their own beliefs and the English decided to come and try to control them. Well, that didn’t go too well for them. It caused a lot of fights between the groups. Now that the countries have traded, it opens up a whole new thought process to the different religions. It made you understand why the people believe what they do.
Opening new religions is just a part of trade. Countries over the years have been introduced to religions such as; Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Catholicism. Not only that, but look at the way traditions have changed. Christmas is a celebration that is celebrated in America by different religious and non-religious groups. Christianity and Catholicism believe baby Jesus was born on Christmas, but some people celebrate Christmas for the fun of it. Some people don’t even celebrate Christmas. A couple celebrate Hanukkah. So, trade made America more diverse.
Trading could corrupt a culture, but it helps it a lot more. Spreading of religions helps countries be diverse in new ways. Without religion some people would be lost or stuck in a place where they were forced to think a certain way. Many countries had a lot of arguments because they didn’t understand each other properly. Without understanding someone, it would be bad and end in an argument. It gives knowledge about the traditions that have been spread throughout the whole world. Christmas wouldn’t be here and neither would any of the other holidays. So, trading has helped the culture of every country become better.
Trading is a big part of a country’s culture, without it the world would be different. It helps in so many ways and no one really knows it. Times people don’t even appreciate what is given to them. Trading helps a country’s culture because it spreads culture to make it grow, makes people see different points of view, and opens up ideas. In order for you to prove this, look up information in a history book or look at America today.
Jul 18, 2019
Jul 18, 2019 at 8:10 PM UTC
~~~
Happy Hanukkah Brother Nat!
~~~
*this poem is not for young lovers,
seasoned soldiers of the heartfelt only need apply,
give me my merry mercy-naries to save me
from criminal holiday insouciance,
shoot me with the rounds of caring,
that come so fast
and last as long as I can
nod and wink...*
~~~
used to drink inspiration
from Manhattan sidewalk rain riveted cracks,
turn half overheard street conversation snatches
into half decent poems by Nat(chez),
professors turning phrases, upbringing a brain ratcheting,
choreographers, dancing in body and spirit and word,
in summation, a thief of opportunity...
these days, the pattern prevailing,
the El Niño de Natalino,
is drawing up works
from the wealth of messages and comments,
my troubadours, my y'all youse guys, share,
so as I compose,
not knowing where this goes,
I'm just simple knowing,
that a heartfelt reach out,
addressed as
Happy Hanukkah Brother Nat!
deserves the recognition of its sweet intent,
in a lyric all its own,
like a traditional festival
Hanukkah jelly donut (true1)
t'is the seasonal affectation of salutations
all commencing with happy,
never struck me as anything deeper
than surficial superficial,
but this time its textual emendation -
the inclusion of genuine brotherly love,
loops, Humpty Dumpty cracks and swoops,
and here I am fastening word combos,
when the clickty clack of the clock
says uh-uh, poem in the making,
natural verbal child birthing, sleep hours docked,
and here I am,
begetting instead of shushing
a day-older brain to get-thee-to-a-hideaway...
*this poem is not for young lovers,
seasoned soldiers of the heartfelt only need apply,
give me my mercy-naries to save me
from criminal holiday insouciance,
shoot me with the rounds of caring,
that come so fast
and last as long as I can
nod and wink...*
sooner than later it will be the Fourth,
and in my eyes a day-deserving of a fireworks spectacular,
though the month matters not,
the sentiments of brotherhood and live love,
independent and freely given,
deserves enhanced ignition recognition
and herein supplied...
you had me at the greeting so fleeting,
then ask my advice,
is there to be had a greater compliment,
so my mien and demeanor are now modified
an oath sworn, till the infamous 31st,
every passerby and child
will be bequeathed a shockingly rowdy,
Happy and Merry,
sincerity coated
and tinged with you know what...
~~~
Dec. 3, 2015
nyc
11:12 pm
Dec 3, 2015
Dec 3, 2015 at 11:27 PM UTC
I wish you all Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Festivus, Yule etc. Whichever tradition you follow, the heart of the celebration is the same. It's about rebirth (among the other good things like family and compassion and healing), the mystery of new things by some miracle born of old. We're told that we are supposed to be happy, that to not be cheerful this day is miserly and selfish, it's implied that if we aren't feeling perfect then we should fake it for people, that we should fake happiness so our loved ones can be genuinely happy by not seeing our sadness. But this is a hard, sad time for many of us, no matter how hard we try to be hopeful. I wish that I could really believe, rather than just hope, that the old world, the world of xenophobia and hatred, so many acts of violence and horror that I can't even keep track of them all...I wish that I could be sure that the world is being renewed by a higher power. In the face of so much, it may seem that you're just a small person, in a small place, with small problems and small gifts and a small heart, and this whole thing is a worthless gesture. Well, it isn't...this isn't just an accident, we're not just flotsam in a nameless, faceless mass of humanity with no real purpose and no value. Everything matters, and every day we have a chance to make a difference, every day we are given opportunities to be a part of miracles. All of us have the power to reach out and touch another person, to give hope instead of taking it away. There really is a better world out there, and every positive act, every genuine smile, every gentle word and every courageous stand against hatred brings us closer. And finally, a Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night, and if I wake up tomorrow to find that all my appliances have come to life and burst into song and a gaggle of short bearded guys expecting food and talking about some kind of stolen gold and dragons and crap, I may just have to start taking things a little more seriously ;)
Dec 27, 2016
Dec 27, 2016 at 9:40 AM UTC
I heard the door open. It was Leeza (Lisa’s 14-year-old sister),
she’d been out on a date. I was the only one in the living room
as she came in and sagged, dejectedly onto the huge, white
sectional couch, right next to me. She looked positively
deflated. Which is unusual because up until now,
she’s been all freckles and smiles
Ok, here’s where we get poetic and rhyme, with innuendo and allusion:
Me: “Did you have a good time?”
Leeza: “No but I was trying.”
Me: “Did he get handsy—the swine?”
Leeza: “Argh! No—but his kisses are a crime.”
I gasped: “You didn’t give him a climb!?”
Leeza “NO!” she said, somewhat horrified.
Me (trying to be neutral): “No judging, it would have been.. fine (I lied).”
Leeza: “That’s never going to happen.”
“Good,” I declared, “he was just a distraction—and, you know Santa.”
“What about Santa?”
Whew, that’s enough of THAT (rhyming business).
She asked, so, yeah, I sang it.. I had to.
*“He knows who you’ve been kissing,
what you’re thinking when you’re awake,
he knows if you’ve been bad or good—
he’s kind of like a cop that way.”*
After a moment's silence Leeza asked,
“Is there something creepy about that?”
“Only if you think about it.” I admitted,
as she put her head on my shoulder.
.
.
A song for this:
Fairytale of New York (feat. Kirsty MacColl) by The Pogues
.
.
A Christmas Playlist! There’s 6 days til Christmas (and Hanukkah)
http://daweb.us/xmas/Christmas_25.mp3
Dec 19, 2024
Dec 19, 2024 at 12:14 PM UTC
I know that I hung on a windy tree,
cross
Nine long nights.
Hanukkah, Christmas, Saturnalia
Wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin,
Longinus
Myself to myself...
Abandoned by God
On that tree of which no man knows
The Tree of Knowledge
from where it's roots run.
Laws by mankind
No bread did they give me nor drink from a horn,
Suffering, no mercy
I arose with the Word,
Ascension
and came back down to them.
Resurrection *
Feb 7, 2018
Feb 7, 2018 at 2:45 PM UTC
Church bells be ringing.
Choirs will be singing.
And images of Angels will be hanging.
As we celebrate the Holiday's season.
Families will be together.
Families will be apart.
Except loving memories will be in their hearts.
As we celebrate this Holiday's season.
Sermons will be preached.
Folks that avoid churches will finally go.
Even if it's just a show.
As we celebrate this Holiday's season.
Gifts will be exchanged.
And methods will be used to explain.
Why we celebrate this Holiday's season?
Christ will be connected.
And placed in true perspective.
Even for kids to understand.
Why we celebrate this Holiday's season.
Rather it's Happy Hanukkah.
Rather it's Kwanza.
Or too many of us, simply Christmas.
The message is love toward one another.
As we celebrate this Holiday's season.
People around this time argue about saying, Merry Christmas.
When there's no need.
It don't take away that Jesus Christ is the theme.
As we celebrate this Holiday's season.
Dec 7, 2012
Dec 7, 2012 at 10:02 AM UTC
To say you care and then walk away
Don't forget to grab an oscar en route
And hold the sour worms as a placecard
For your exceptional role as a man who sold his soul
Because it was lovely falling for you
On hands and knees
Diving head first and being scared
But you're the one who ran away
With a kiss and a **** and a goodbye hug
I didn't realise it would be the last
The last of the stares
And the last of your touch
Cause I can still feel your breath on my ear
And how can I make you understand that you changed a part of me
A person so used to coldness and regret finally found a nestegg
You
The one who said not to be afraid cause you were too
For a week felt like a lifetime
More so than anyone could possibly know
Merry Christmas, Happy Easter, Happy Anniversary, Happy New Year
But not Hanukkah
Cause we can't celebrate Hannukah
Jul 7, 2014
Jul 7, 2014 at 6:09 AM UTC
When you left me you said you didn't love me,
I was heartbroken...
Though now I discovered,
I didn't love you either.
So here's to the circles we chased that year,
And all the times I called you dear.
Merry Christmas,
Happy Hanukkah,
Whatever you celebrate these days.
Here's to times I'll never forget,
With a person whose words slip my mind.
Just as easily as
"Wait don't leave"
Left my mouth.
Dec 25, 2015
Dec 25, 2015 at 2:46 PM UTC
I know this will be the most hated words in print,
Only in the Northern Hemisphere, for a stint,
of two hundred sixty two days till summer, again
graces our shores, our winds measured warmth
there goes that Darrell guy, what a pain,
Fall is still nineteen days away and he is lighting the hearth.
Fan the flame,
Fan the flame,
what a shame,
paid the bill,
we got gas,
the natural kind,
The days the
are numbered
till your birthday
and mine, I'll be
fifty four in...so many days,
Christmas is only
1 1 5 jours
Hanukkah is
eighty seven and
is of course 8
days long
correct me if I am wrong
as the days
come and go,
I will know,
I have less
and less of
the days ahead
unless I live
to be as old as
108!
Sep 3, 2013
Sep 3, 2013 at 12:33 AM UTC
*don't worry, you're not watching ******** **** but it might be equivalent, given the stature of the words... i never knew why Hebrews complained at the word Jew sounding yuck, and the Poles never minded, even with Pollack... funny... anyways, you either accept this wording or you accept ******** **** your choice.... but censoring spelling is like inbreeding anti-literate farmers who have tractors instead of horses these days... bake that macaroon slightly more, i want to see a suntan on it; chance of a bagel thrown in gratis? i thought so... happy Hanukkah.*
Hier stehe ich mit den Händen voll Blut
Und trage in mir eine beißende Wut
Du sagtest du wolltest den Körper von mir
Und ich gab dir alles gerad wie ein Tier
Ich kann nicht ertragen zu sehen dich leben
So komm her zu mir lass dir den Todeskuss geben
Viele lockte ich schon in den grausamen Tod
Und auch du wirst verfaulen in der Kammer der Not
Winsel um gnade oder schrei es hinaus
Es gibt keine Hoffnung du kommst niemals mehr raus
Denn hier ist dein ende und ich werde es lieben
Zu weiden dich aus am Bunkertor sieben
*Bunkertor sieben
Am Bunkertor sieben*.
Jun 26, 2016
Jun 26, 2016 at 12:09 PM UTC
*I have nothing to wish
for Christmas cheer
as the world is in tears.
The only thing I will ask
and wish for you and for me
is peace around the world.
For all humanity.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Winter Solstice, Bod-hi Day ,Hanukkah , d al-Adha , Kwanzaa.
I am sure I have missed some cultural, ethnic and religious celebrations at this time of year. But the idea I want to express and project is we are all humans no matter what and I wish you all the best and peace and happiness in your present and or future life.
God Bless and Peace Out.*
Dec 11, 2015
Dec 11, 2015 at 10:02 AM UTC
Its been said some people don't like to hear Merry Christmas.
But I'm going to say it.
Besides, who's going to stop me?
Who's going to violate my first amendments right?
Just who?
Courts, politicians can decide this or that.
Facts, still remains, I'm going to say Merry Christmas.
Some say, Happy Hanukkah.
Some say, Happy Kwanza.
Some say, Happy Holidays.
While I say Merry Christmas.
There's various reasons given to ,why they complains?
But in my perspective I have nothing to explain.
Accept, what I say.
As I accept, what you say.
Without making the Christmas' Season seems worse because of things we say.
Especially, when I say Merry Christmas.
And like I said, who's going to stop me?
Nov 7, 2013
Nov 7, 2013 at 4:17 PM UTC
Light the candles on the menorah,
On the menorah, one by one.
Let the shamash be your attendant.
Gather together when day is done.
May the sounds of Hanukkah blessings
Fill your home with a cheerful mood.
Let your heart be brimming with wonder,
Joy and laughter and gratitude.
Celebrate the season with hope--
The yearly festival of lights.
Think about the oil that burned
For eight miraculous days and nights.
Spin the dreidel. How will it fall--
Nisht or gantz or halb or shtel?
Win or lose some Hanukkah gelt…
If you break even, you're doing well.
We reflect on where we have come from;
Struggles have never seemed to cease.
May people everywhere learn from the past.
For the sake of the children let there be peace.
Light the candles on the menorah,
On the menorah, one by one.
May the gentle glow of the candles
Soften the night in the setting sun.
-by Bob B (12-12-18)
°I know: the festival of Hanukkah has passed this year.
But it will return on 22 Dec. 2019.
Dec 12, 2018
Dec 12, 2018 at 10:51 AM UTC