In the heart of a snow-kissed grove,
where whispers of winter weave through the trees,
a menorah stands, its candles aglow,
dancing flames in the chill-laden breeze.
Beside it rests a Yule log, adorned,
with evergreens, holly, and crimson bright,
a sacred union of earth and fire,
offering warmth to the longest night.
Golden dreidels gleam on the frost,
their stories spinning in timeless grace,
while a pentacle cradles the season's gifts,
binding the magic of this sacred space.
Challah, braided with care and intent,
shares a table with fruits of the wheel,
symbols of life, death, and rebirth,
the rhythm the seasons eternally feel.
Above, the stars hum an ancient hymn,
their light a bridge through time and skies,
as hearts entwine in this sacred rite,
under the gaze of the All-Seeing Eye.
This is the song of many paths,
woven together with reverent hands,
a celebration of love and peace,
of faiths united on shared lands.
In this grove, where traditions meet,
the chaos of ages begins to cease.
Each spark, each branch, each whispered word,
weaves a tapestry of hope and peace.
Categories:
challah, celebration, faith, nature, peace,
Form: Free verse
A challah is a braided bread -
With butter, it’s delish.
It looks impressive when it’s whole
And waiting on a dish.
But when it’s time to eat it,
Many raise a bread knife - but,
It’s so much better with a piece
Ripped from the loaf - not cut.
I always grab a hunk this way;
Its texture, so enticing,
Is pillowy and soft and doesn’t
Taste the same with slicing.
Here’s one more tip - some bakers
Overstep and are quite brazen,
But to me, it is a shonda*
Eating challah filled with raisin.
*a disgrace
Categories:
challah, food, how i feel,
Form: Rhyme
sawed-off on the
crimson emerald from a cloudy sky
squeal
and, at times, the reason
low-slung why
sparkles of a pearly salver
modicum of encrusted damask mist
befuddles me
albeit
moon, amber, and opalescence
spawn a charming sight
the perspective
strikes each crevice of the flesh.
and psyche advise
shrouded in a cinereous cloud
hapless and helpless, a glum-blue wolf
growls out a bluesy bemoan.
creating a lacuna
of gallivant love touchstone
leaden wails of anguish
rhythmic echoed refrain
plainchants of auric yearning
reminiscent of challah
aiming for eleemosynary seeds
cahoots to germinate and thrive
2nd place contest winner
Written: March 20, 2023
A Strand No 1201 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Brian Strand
Categories:
challah, analogy, appreciation, bereavement, inspirational,
Form: Free verse
Happy New Year, Dear Friends!
September30, 2019
Ah, apples with honey.
Clipped or spiraled or Round Challah,
so yummy!
And prayers for a sweet year.
Oh, such a treat.
For both eternal souls and for
human tummies.
But better your prayers to Hashem
be filled with gratitude,
You know these fruits are His plenitude.
This poet honors all Jews and
Israel your great nation!
Which your enemies are always
planning for your devastation!
It just pains me to see anti-Semitism
on the rise now.
Even in our Congress!
As the very far left,to The Squad,
disgustingly has now cow-towed.
I would volunteer in Israel if
only I could.
Israel will stand strong despite
the multiple snakes,
That have tried to destroy your
country and you.
These vile. perverted, evil snakes!
So keep your traditions and do
have a sweet year!
May you all be written in the
book of Life!
Have no fear!
La Shanah Tova!
Love and joy be yours!
Panagiota Romios
Categories:
challah, celebration, courage, jewish, pride,
Form: Rhyme
I pity those who can’t eat bread
But opt for gluten-free instead
For sourdough with hardened crust
And slathered butter is a must.
A bagel topped with lots of seeds
Is all a body really needs
Or onion rolls that softly squish
To complement most any dish.
A loaf of rye with caraway
Or garlic knots can make my day
And pumpernickel, deeply brown,
Has never ever let me down.
A fresh-baked challah, ripped apart,
Then dipped in sauce – be still, my heart!
Focaccia’s another treat
That must be sad to never eat.
I could go on and on, you know,
Expounding on the joys of dough.
For me, the truth is absolute –
There really is no substitute!
Categories:
challah, food,
Form: Rhyme
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
Categories:
challah, chanukah,
Form: Rhyme
Buy a challah - make it round.
Cook some kasha - lightly browned.
Bake a brisket, with a mound
Of onions on the top.
Lots of vino to be downed.
Honey cakes to add a pound.
Hugs and wishes to abound
And smiles that never stop.
Hear the shofar's plaintive sound.
Links to childhood somehow found.
Ready now - we're New Year bound -
New sins to which we'll cop!
(Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year,
where whatever sins you've committed
in the past year are erased.)
Categories:
challah, holiday, jewish,
Form: Rhyme
"But Motek, it's Hanukkah!
You MUST be with the FAMILY on HANUKKAH!!"
(Ok Mom, sure Mom, right away Mom, I'll come home)
"Rabbi Grossman DOES do such LOVELY services!
Every Jew in Suffolk County will be there!
Challah Bread! Matza Ball Soup! SONGS on the ACCORDION!"
(Merry, cheery, Hava Nagilla surface tension happiness...)
"Smile everyone, and I'll take a picture!!!"
(CHEESE!!!!)
"Motek... I DO wish you spoke with him already...
I mean, it's been over a YEAR now...notta WORD!
It BREAKS my heart to see you two like this..."
(I'm sorry Mom)
"I mean honest to ELOHIM!!
Brothers should LOVE each other!!!
How can you be so NONCHALANT about this???
Breaks my heart."
(Your answer lies right in front of you Mom,
You just need to know where to look...and where not to)
Categories:
challah, holiday
Form: Narrative