by Steven Sher (Jerusalem, Israel)
for Ari
This old chanukiah
brought over from Poland
from my grandparents’ home
that I lit as a boy
and my son now lights
and my grandson covets
these Chanukah nights
with its twin silver lions
standing guard over flames—
listen and you’ll hear
the lions roar across
a hundred years
rattling every window
on their watch, illuminating
Vilna then New York,
defending Jerusalem.
Born in Brooklyn, Steven Sher is the author of fifteen books. He made aliyah five years ago, and now lives in Jerusalem near his children and grandchildren. To learn more about him and his work, visit his website: https://steven-sher-poetry.wixsite.com/writing
The Jewish Writing Project 