The manger had stars and angels over it,
Hanukka menorahs have nine candles,
small candles,
that light up the season.
Something about the dark
and the small
and the simple
terrifies

we work ourselves up
with more light, more money,
more parties, more grief,
Alas, you will have to attempt
to do your utmost in a world
where people are happy to make noise
which sounds merry to them.

The day will be quiet.
We’ll probably find something to cry about,
something to laugh about,
and something to be quiet about.
I wish you the best season—the stars
have a way of finding you
even when you can’t quite find them.