What is it about these long, dark nights

That we find

so foreboding?

Awakening to dark mornings

Commutes to work

in darkness

Walking dark alleys

in the city

Returning home in the darkness

Leaves a blot

on our lives

Scant sunlight to revive

Our long, dark night

of the soul

From awareness

of a world in which

Evil deeds are most

noteworthy

And war is ever

on our minds

Oh, Light of the World

Enlighten our dark,

weary world

With the light of your illuminating love

This Hanukkah

This Christmas

This Kwanzaa

So that your light may dwell in our world

Even during these long, dark December nights

D.J. Hausman-Hill

Lititz