Oh, the night has been nibbling the day!
We barely notice it slipping away,

Until the morning’s been swallowed by night,
And we stumble to breakfast, starving for light.

We wonder what happened to sunlight at dinner,
Finally aware that the days have grown thinner.

That’s when we welcome our families to feast,
To light the candles, and look to the east,

Knowing the night has finished its snack,
And tomorrow the day will start biting back!


For me the worst thing about winter isn’t the cold. It’s the dark. The early dusk makes me tired and ready for bed. Our ancestors were wise to establish traditions that bring light and warmth to the winter darkness. Imagine how terrible the depths of winter would seem without the candles, the cookies, and the togetherness.

Thanks to Heidi for organizing a new celebration of light and togetherness and for hosting today’s Poetry Friday.

Happy Holidays.

(c) 2012 Elizabeth Ehrenfest Steinglass, all rights reserved

8 replies
  1. Tabatha
    Tabatha says:

    I enjoyed this poem’s notion that day and night are “nibbling” on each other. Definitely a different kind of winter feast! Happy Holidays, Liz!

  2. Heidi Mordhorst
    Heidi Mordhorst says:

    So clever, so meaty, so tasty–and such a lively summary for young readers of that phenomenon they observe but can’t quite get hold of. This poem also has qualities of folktale and myth, of the night eating the day and the day biting back. Thank you, Liz, for joining the festival!

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