T'was the Night Before Chanukah

T'was the night before Chanukah

and all through the house

the yenta yelled "wear your mask"

to her tired spouse!

The potatoes were peeled

the onions cut up

tomorrow mom would make latkes

with applesauce, yup!

The children were sleeping

like good kinder do

while mom and dad searched

for that darned corkscrew!

The stress about covid

was at an all time pinnacle

they read the statistics 

it was all so clinical!

When out on the lawn

oy vey, such a clatter

something's not kosher

now what's the matter?

Santa stopped by

for a little tasty soufganyot

a nice jelly donut 

to slide down his throat!

Now a game of dreidel

was certainly in order

for TikTok we filmed it

on our old VHS camcorder!

After a bissel more nosh

and a bit of schnapps too

Santa confessed

it was more fun being a Jew!

 

So even to those not Jewish

we wish happy Chanukah today

may the lights of the menorah

scare Covid-19 away! 

© 2020 Lydia Shutter

Author's Note

soufganyot = jelly donut
schnapps = whiskey
nosh = snack
kinder = children

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I love soufganyots....
and this is so clever...
Yes, it is all so clinical...not the Christmases or Chanukahs of the old days...
This poem is so vivid, Lydi, that as I read it, I heard hoofbeats on my roof...
I ran outside to see what was the clatter
and then saw the heart of the matter.
my chimney is sealed
Santa reeled,
and at the sound of a hoof
fell off the roof!
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

Laughing here! You are too good, Jacob! Thank you so much. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

When what to my wandering eyes should appear... but a horse-drawn Sleigh 🛷 and no Reindeer... and with twinkling eyes and a Pipe he saw the Menorah 🕎 lit for the Night... a treat of soufganyot and away they flew across the Meadow of snow ... Happy Chanukah and to all a good night. Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

I love how you went on with the theme of the poem, Pat. So cute! Thank you very much. Lydi**