'Twas the Night

‘Twas the night before Christmas and I didn’t care;

I had dozens of latkes I had to prepare.

The menorah was ready, with candles to light,

Waiting there by the window, a wonderful sight.

 

The presents were wrapped and I lined up the dreidels;

The soup was a’bubble, with floating knaidels.

The applesauce waited to chill in the fridge

In a Chanukah bowl. (Yes, I tasted a smidge.)

 

The cookies were baked like my grandmother taught,

(So much better than any that anyone bought)

Shaped like candles and dreidels and six-sided stars;

There were plenty to fill cookie platters and jars.

 

When I suddenly sensed there was something the matter.

I raced to the kitchen – the oil was a’splatter!

For while I was fixing the festive display,

I should have been frying (not quite my forte).

 

The first batch of latkes was burnt to a crisp

And smoke filled the kitchen (much more than a wisp),

But tying my apron for take number two,

I ditched all the burnt ones and knew what to do.

 

I lowered the flame and reheated some oil,

Plopping spoonfuls of batter I wouldn’t let spoil.

Then I conjured my childhood and Chanukahs past,

When I had no idea years would fly by so fast.

 

And I pictured my nana and grandma, as well

As my parents, my grandfathers and Aunt Sydelle

And my brothers and sister and cousins galore

And my uncles and aunts I’ve not mentioned before.

 

While my latkes were frying, so crispy and gold,

I remembered how Chanukah used to unfold,

When we played with our dreidels and gathered our gelt,

In our family’s embrace and the love we all felt.

 

So I cooked the new latkes with patience and care,

Knowing that with my kids and my grandkids I’d share

All the pent-up emotions I’ve hidden inside

With a platter of latkes, now perfectly fried.

 

And to all who will celebrate Chanukah time,

I do hope there’s a lesson for you in this rhyme –

For the very-best feelings our childhoods instill,

Through traditions, our hearts and our bellies will fill.