Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHANUKAH, by CECILIA GERSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHANUKAH, by                    
First Line: The hand of time moves o'er the dial
Last Line: That leap to glory and to god!
Subject(s): Fasts & Feasts; Hanukkah; Jews; Slavery; Judaism; Serfs


THE hand of Time moves o'er the dial,
And guides the seasons through the year;
It drives the sorrow from our hearts—
Behold—the Feast of Lights is here!

The Feast of Lights—old mem'ries stir,
And pride within our breast soars high,
We live again in ancient days,
When Judah's glory was the cry.

We see the Maccabees of old
Bow low within the house of God;
Where Syrian hands defiled the halls,
Where Israel's patriarchs had trod.

Now light we tapers for their deeds;
Awak'ning in each heart a prayer,
That we may like the Maccabees
The glory and the valor share.

The Feast of Lights—a time when hope
Throws off the yoke of sorrow's rod,
To wing its way above the flames
That leap to glory and to God!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net