A poem by Norma Bursack

Our Christian neighbors have to be of good cheer.

Christmas is celebrated the same date of each year.

As for the general population, it’s more than clear

New Year’s Eve comes the very last day of each year.

But we Jews need our lunar calendar close at hand

for holiday festivities punctually and properly planned.

Thanksgiving’s traditional roast turkey might well be

replaced by Mom’s famous yet secret brisket recipe.

The popular side dish of pineapple sweet potato pie

be replaced by potato latkes — need you ask why?

You might feel deprived of dessert pumpkin pie

but rewarded by fried doughnuts — do not ask why!

The miracle of this Chanukah might well be

eight days’ lasting of Thanksgiving’s turkey.

While menorah candles shine festively bright,

may we revel in this year’s dual holiday delight.

When expressing thanks for our blessed country,

we’ll glorify our all-time hero, Judah Maccabee.

Norma Bursack is a poet living in Bloomfield.

KOLOT is a feature of the Jewish Ledger in which readers are invited to submit original work on a topic of their choosing.  Inquiries and/or submissions should be sent to editorial@jewishledger.com.