Chanukah On Board

Nine hundred plus are on our ship,
A Viking ocean cruise,
And of the people we had met,
We were the only Jews.

So we were quite surprised that on
Our list of day's events,
Menorah lighting made the grade
And what that represents...

Is Chanukah! For every night,
We light a candle's flame
Consecutively; by day eight,
Our freedom we proclaim.

At six p.m. we showed up and
Were pleasantly surprised
To find another couple
And some Chanukah supplies -

A challah,* Chanukiah,**
Yarmulkes*** and kosher wine;
Jelly donuts, plates of latkes****
And a lit menorah sign.

Some pamphlets held the blessings
And a few more people showed.
We sang and lit the candles;
Their electric flame-bulbs glowed.

How wonderful to celebrate
An ancient joyous rite 
With a bunch of strangers linked on board
On Chanukah's first night.

*a special twisted bread
**a special menorah (candelabra) used on Chanukah
***skullcaps worn by men
****potato pancakes eaten on Chanukah