Chanukah, After Annapolis

In winter darkness we are called to light
These candles of remembrance and of cheer.

In our safe homes beyond the western seas
In winter darkness we are called to light
While in Jerusalem our friends seek ease

In sleep from false peace and impending fear.
Shall we then give hope's name to fraud's black blight,
Ignore their peril for our comfort here?
In winter darkness we are called to light,

To the fierce light of mind that shows things clear,
Of soul that will stand up in time's despite
For truth, and make the face of G-d appear
In winter darkness. We are called to light
The spark of courage that calls freedom dear

In one another. And we dare not ask
If we have any chance to win this fight.
We must believe, however grave the hour,
In winter darkness, we are called to light,
Committed to the One who has the power
To save, if we just undertake the task.

For this one hour draw near, O soul, and bask
In the radiance of these flames, fed by an oil
That knows no earthen springs, and cannot fail.
In winter darkness we are called to light
That sure must show some way out of this coil
Where we seem caught, some stroke that will avail
To cut from substance's trunk the evil mask.

In winter darkness we are called to light:
To Intuition, drawing from the source,
To Understanding, that can plot a course,
To Love for all who stand with us tonight,
To Judgment, that won't have what isn't right,
To Balance, which Compassion also hight,
To Steadfastness, that gets us through all pains,
To Acknowledgment, which consolidates the gains,

To Righteousness, which keeps connections tight,
Upholds that greatest good, Community B
Community, that wears the eternal Crown
And one day must embrace the ends of earth
Unless this world's distortions drag us down B
O our Preserver! Grant we keep in sight
Your good ends. Give our truthful deeds renown,
That we may feel our struggles as a birth.
In winter darkness we are called to light.