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**

[Kelly Scheppers]

I'm a sucker for a jelly doughnut, and a genius penning about the most wonderful time of year! Happy Hanukkah, my friend!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks, Kelly. Merry Christmas to you! Lydi**

[Gee]

Has me smiling. I enjoy the more daft crimbo poems, especially when written well.
Hope you are keeping well Lydia

[Lydia Shutter]

All is well here, Gee.....I am a star when it comes to daft poems! LOL Thanks for the visit. Stay well. Lydi**

[Dave Brown]

I'll take a dozen of whatever they are and borrow your corkscrew tooooo
Great Christmas write

[Lydia Shutter]

:) Thanks so much, Dave! Merry Christmas. Lydi**

[Lorry]

Did someone mention donuts?
A belated Chanukah Lydi, despite the donuts all being but a memory 😊

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh, Chanukah is eight nights long. Tonight we light the third candle....so you are right on time, Lorry! thanks for the wishes. Lydi**

[Lorry]

8 nights! You sure know how to party 😊

[Kelly Scheppers]

Lol, oh Lorry...whatever would we do without you?

[Dara]

This poem is just what we need in the middle of a pandemic. I love the images you created and catchy phrases. The rhythm is contagious the words just dance off the page. A very fun read and creative write this is. Simply wonderful!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Dara. I appreciate this review. Lydi***

[barleygirl]

In my high school (down the road a piece) there were no Jews or Blacks in the 1970's, so I was late to be aware of diversity and I'm still woefully unaware of the Jewish culture. But your poem goes several country miles to remedy that & I love hearing about your sparkling details as well as feeling your tongue-in-cheek elbow-pokes for those of us in the dark about Chanukah. Of course, love the peppy rhyme & rhythm to pepper your "night before" ambiance (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Lydia Shutter]

Wow, you really grew up in an unusual area, Margie. I graduated in 1971 from a high school in Miami and we had EVERY color, race, religion in our school. Granted, we were not always the most peaceful, but we knew each other existed. I am glad I was able to teach you a couple things with this write. Thanks for the visit....and Merry Christmas to you! Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Happy Hanukkah Lydi**. I so enjoyed the humour here and the festivities brought up to date covid style. A lively, descriptive poem, full of fun and laughter. Just what the Doctor ordered. Humour is in short supply at the moment so this poem was particularly appreciated. I also learned something about Jewish customs. Hope you are keeping safe and well dear poet.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Chris. I think we all need a bit of humor after the year we have endured. Be well, my friend. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

soufganyot! now that's a mouthful Lidi :) love the humor .. and the inclusiveness of Hannukkah ... so prayerful and meditative the menorah and it's lighting ... in the Midwest Schnapps is not whiskey tho .. its more a liqueur that comes in many flavors .. the most popular Pepermint .. the alcohol in it is a neutral grain that takes on the many fruity varieties of flavors ;) ... what is a game of dreidel ..what ever it is it must be fun .. as is this cheerful, humorous poke and Santa and all the accompanying hub bub that comes with him ... i feel cheerful and laugh in the reading .. and we sure need something to scare the damnable covid away ... i am with you all the way

[Lydia Shutter]

A dreidel is a spinning top, E. Yes, I have heard of peppermint schnapps. Actually, I think in Yiddish, all forms of alcoholic beverage are referred to as "schnapps". Thank you so much for the wonderful review, my friend. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ............................

[Sami Khalil]

This was festive, funny and celebratory. I learned few things and enjoyed the lighthearted appeal of celebrations. Happy Chanukah to you and the community. No painting this time. Only with romance.

[Lydia Shutter]

Well, not a painting, but I did find a photo for the poem! Thanks for the Chanukah wishes and the review, Sami. I appreciate you. Merry Christmas and happy new year. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome. Any time.

[Vectra Mendonie]

I really liked the poem and it was nice to read a lighthearted and funny one, in these times we can all get a little too serious and poetry tends to fall into depressing and dark themes. Good job!

[Lydia Shutter]

I appreciate your lovely review, Vectra. Thank you. Lydi**