Hanukah-2014

How d’ya light the candles when you’re old-Hannukah-2014

I’m beginning to feel a lot like Shammai

as the years go by

all eight were lit the first day

not one like Hillel’s way

His students perhaps were older

returnees or those retired

Hillel’s young and bolder

to risk their brains are wired

He thoughtfully declared

At first lets start with eight

to live in the now he dared

Tomorrow may be too late

and whose version is real

of Hanukah’s true tale

History’s trial and ordeal

or legend  of oil so frail

the battle of the hero

the din of war hearts beating

pride and human ego

glory with triumph meeting

those who light one candle first

 have unlimited time

to grasp the explosive burst

of energy ‘s upward  climb

making history 

through clashing swords

hailing victory

by conquering hoards

adrenalin through pulsing veins

cries of forward making gains

the few, pious, unswerving

against the many, arrogant, undeserving

That’s how to celebrate,

at the end all the eight,

confident we’ll get there,

that’s Hillel’s path and prayer

but for me, 

its not the  clamor

nor mortal victory

not even Judah’s hammer

not enough spirituality

a tiny cruse of oil,

glowing in the dark

a refuge from all toil

a human’s holy spark

 not the noise and thunder

gushing guts and gore

 but a moment of quiet wonder

no room for sounds of war

so while Shammai’s the minority

 and Hillel reigns so strong

i thank him for sensitivity

to the weak who plod along.