The shamash reached down from the sky
The first candle sent its flash into a dim nook
The second candle gathered green from a forest
The third candle juggled six balls upon a lively flame
The fourth candle swam a rippling lake to feed the minnows
The fifth candle picked up old pennies and passed them to strangers
The sixth candle stood up and whispered thanks to the beasts and prayed
The seventh candle took up the noise of an enormous crowd that cried and chanted
The eighth candle gathered all the candles and blessed them and raised them to the sky
For Ben at age 8.
Andy Oram
November 26, 2021