more than half way through

fifth day of eight
days of Chanukah
more than half

but
another full week
of Chanukah vacation
from work

should have
used time better
but
needed unstressed time
for myself

each day
different

each night
light
chanukiya
olive oil
not candles

grew up
with candles
was the norm

at some point
here in Israel
had to stock up
on more chanukiyot

and bought
the oil kind

learned to
make the wicks

learned that
being cheap with the oil
water under
caused glass cups
to explode
shatter over the room

learned that
being cheap with the oil
buying "only for burning"
was green colored
kerosene
that blackened the house
and lungs

if olive oil
looks greener than green
not olive oil

on Chanukah
we must light
pure oil
no hellenist
no reform, conservative
or reconstructionist

pure Judaism
pure olive oil
not more expensive
in the long run

the holiday is
more than half way through

but the message
burns brightly
forever