Desperate for light

Was it just last year
When Chanukah
Was filled with light…?

Reflecting the story
Of a nation’s
heritage ravaged,
then salvaged
The golden glow
a lasting promise
That we would outlast
The enemies we’re cast

But I’m sitting
Unbelieving
For this unyielding
promise was
Misleading
Compromised
When this year’s
8 days
Were stuck
On the 7th

When were the
Blessed flames
Doused, drowned
In the oil of the turmoil
While we recoiled
From the rising toll

When were the
Latkes charred
Donuts marred
Stoked on a
Stove of
Ancient anger

Where were the presents?
When we were wrapped up
In darkness
Hands tied up
In bows of distress,
Disbelief

Where was our miracle?
Am I being cynical?
But it became unbearable
To sit waiting for a hope
Believed, seemed imaginable
The lights chided
A nation slighted
Daring to believe?
It was truly unendurable

Am I caught in naïveté?
Can it still be true?
That we can hope for
miracles
To still shine
To cure a nation
From its cries
I want to believe
We can still ignite
With the light
From 8 nights

But, for now, the
dreidels keep
spinning
Stumbling

Disoriented

But determined
To tip
And land
For the land
We hold dear
Since The Miracle
Happened Here