Shlishit

After three stars appear in the sky
Havdalah prayer marks the end of sabbath,
bridging sacred time of being, with secular time of doing.

Grandfather’s powerful voice reverberating prayers sing out
over sweet red wine,
I stand upon a chair to hold the flickering braided candle
stretching for the highest I possibly can reach,
for the tip of the flame will be the stature of my destined beloved.

fragrant scent of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and orange peel,
fill the air and tingle my nose,
while singing candle flame is extinguished between Zayde’s thumb and forefinger.
We break the sweet challah bread and dip chunks into the
long-time stewing chicken soup.