As Shabbat Candle Goes Out
The last of two candles goes out
Ending start of Shabbat time no doubt;
The clock ticks the seconds
As bedtime now beckons
With circle of chairs round about.I came here as gift from my wife,
Third time this delight of my life,
For the Rabbi who's great
Came again for our sake
Bringing peace to this cauldron of strife.I find it so hard to withhold
The thoughts which in me now take hold
Of my life and my thought
Which through cancer has wrought –
This new life calling me to be bold.I sat in the circle tonight,
Jewish mom to both candles brought light;
How far backwards in time
Does her act make a line?
Burning image to my inward sight.A table you've spread for me, Lord
Midst the foes from past days on my road –
Those who at supper sat
Church who formally spat
On my life as I followed your word.The fuel of that candle’s now spent,
Wick has curled now, to bottom it’s bent;
Last of yesterdays acts,
Good and bad of week’s facts,
With the wax to oblivion went.She said ‘stopping’ You made on last day,
Said it's something we need yet today;
As I watch flame go out
And I look round about
I think ‘yes, freed from that's better way’.Let it burn out, don't blow out the flame;
Start of Shabbat is from where it came;
Now I see even more
In this small bit of lore
Let past go with its triumphs and shame.Long it lingers – that last bit of wax,
Like our memories of weeks that are past;
Before new week begins
With its goodness and sins,
There's a day to give thanks and relax.Lord, tomorrow will be a new day,
Where we study your word, sing, and pray;
Hear how Abraham left
On a journey of quest,
To find self, find a land, and a way.navigation