Top 10 Tips to Writing Great Candle Lighting Ceremony Poems

(By Jill Starishevsky, The Poem Lady, 646-262-7418, www.thepoemlady.com or on Facebook )

10. Get inspired. Think about an anecdote or personal trait that makes this person special to you and write it down. Example: For a bar mitzvah boy’s (we’ll call him David) grandfather who passed away very recently. The notes one could write about him are as follows: He was Irish, Catholic, not Jewish. He was so proud of the man that David is becoming. He lived in Florida and he made David feel safe in Florida by telling him that his home was really David’s Florida home, so David was never homesick in Florida. He was a baker, he used to make bread on the kitchen table without a bowl, he made a lake in the middle of the flour. There needs to be something about David remembering him making bread with the lake on the table. The candle will be lit by Grandpa’s brother Uncle Frank and Aunt Marianne. This is the first family get together without him. With a little work you can turn it into this: My grandfather who I love so dear Passed away recently, but I know he is near His was my second home in Florida, of this I know He told me how proud he was as he watched me grow Grandpa was a baker and bread he would always make With flour on the table, in the center he made a lake This candle is to honor him, that has been my plan Please come up to light it with me, Uncle Frank & Aunt Marianne

9. Make poems that are 4-8 lines. Too few will be hard to convey your message and too many might bore your audience.

8. Try to keep each poem the same length. You don’t want Grandma to be upset that she got 4 lines when Uncle Bill got 8.

7. If you are having trouble finding a word to rhyme with another word, you can either pick a different word (like choosing “great” instead of “good” or “sweet” instead of “nice”) or try going to www.rhymezone.com. It is a great rhyming dictionary on-line that comes in handy for those tough to rhyme words.

6. Try to make the first line rhyme with the second line and the third line rhyme with the fourth line. It’s an AABBCCDD pattern that makes it simpler to read and find a rhyming word.

5. If you know who you want to call up to light the candle, find a word that rhymes with their name. (Like I am never alone) and end the line with “Come on up Uncle Bill and Aunt Joan”.

4. An easy method to use is to find a last line that rhymes with the number you are on. For example: Grandma’s cooking always tastes like heaven, So come on up to light candle number eleven.

3. There are a few catch phrases that you can use for any poem such as: …I love you … Come light candle number two. And… “To my aunt and uncle whom I truly adore, Please come up to light candle number four.” Here is an example of how you turn the notes you jot down into a poem. For Grandma & PopPop: Michael is their first and only grandchild, he has slept there every Friday the first 2 years of his life, and still sleeps over at times. They took him skiing for the first time when he was 4, they take him to movies, play cards, you name it, they do it for him! Turn that into: There are two special people here who I just love and adore They introduced me to skiing when I was a boy of four I have learned so much from both of them about being a good friend Whether it’s at the movies or playing cards, there’s laughter without end When I was little I stayed with them almost every Friday night Grandma & PopPop it’s number twelve, I’d love your help to light

2. If there is someone on the list that your family knows, but you don’t know so well, be sure to speak to your family and get some insight into who they are and why they are special. Example: For a very dear friend of Mom and Dad’s – JoAnn. Steven’s mom has known JoAnn since they were 6 and of course JoAnn knows Steven since his birth. She helped the family a great deal when Mom and Dad were going through a divorce. She helped move them from Staten Island to NJ, she stayed there for 2 weeks to help them settle in. Always there for Mom, serious or fun…she is a lot of fun to be around. Turn that into: This next candle is for a family friend who’s always there in a fix She’s known me since my birth and known Mom since they were six From Staten Island to New Jersey, she helped us with our move Two weeks she kept us company, till we got into a groove Always fun to be around, that’s why I’m such a fan Please come up for candle eleven, mom’s dear friend JoAnn

1. Most important, just remember to have fun and enjoy your special day!

( Jill Starishevsky is the lead writer for The Poem Lady. She is a published poet and author who has been charming clients with her poems for over twenty years. Jill pens personalized pieces for all occasions. Birthdays, bar mitzvahs or any shower, let her make you the toast of the hour. Learn more about The Poem Lady at www.ThePoemLady.com . Feel free to reach Jill at heymannyc@yahoo.com.)

Candle Lighting Poem Examples

Examples provided by Claudia Pletter of It Could Be Verse, 732-679-8093)

ALEXA #12
My sister Alexa what can I say?
She’s funny and smart and chatters away!
Alexa doesn’t miss a trick she knows who, what and where,
If it’s happening in Armonk the info she’s sure to share!
She likes to hang out with my friends and she wears my clothes,
We make our own spa products or go to Broadway shows.
She likes to sleep in my room we talk about school and boys,
When she practices the drums, I have to listen to the noise!
Alexa come up here just do what I say,
Show everyone how we get along it’s only for today.

BIELSKY BRIGADE #9
I want to honor this group because of the important role that they played,
They are some of the members from the Bielsky Brigade.
This was a group of partisans, who fought the Nazis from ’43 to ’45,
Because of their heroic actions, many Jews in Poland were able to survive.
I know to Grandma Sonya and Grandpa Aaron this group means so much,
I think it’s very special that through the years, they’ve stayed in touch.
I want to honor those still living and those who have passed,
You’re strength and resolve have built memories that last.
And, all of their children.. the next generation,
Will keep stories alive with great veneration.
The families and members of the Bielsky Brigade are as special as can be,
Light candle #9. it would truly be an honor for me.

MARK #7
Mark is my Dad’s partner they really like each other,
Except on those occasions, when they fight just like brothers.
He has a special goal, to which he greatly aspires,
He works hard now, so he can be young when he retires.
Spending time at the Outer Banks on the beach, he’ll take a stroll,
He’s into Aerosmith and the Stones give him good old Rock N Roll.
He calls us the “mall dwellers” shopping malls he really hates,
He’s a real Giant fan and thinks the Yankees are great.
Mark, I think it would be heaven,
If you’d come up and light candle #7.

More Candle Lighting Poem Examples

(Examples provided by Susan Linsenbaum of Rhyme Time, 1-800-569-8869)

In Memory of Grandfather Aaron
Remembering my Grandfather Aaron is a very good place to start because he’ll always hold a special place within my heart. And though I never knew him, we still share a common trait. We don’t need a special occasion to gather people and celebrate. But this is a celebration and I know he’s with us here today. This candle now will honor him in a very special way.

Grandma Elaine & Grandpa Jerry
This candle for Grandma Elaine and Grandpa Jerry will glow especially bright. Having them both here with me makes everything just right. I look forward to family dinners when I know you will be there. It’s always very special to have good times that we share. So Grandma and Grandpa, please come up now. I have something just for you. Come up and get a hug and a kiss and candle number two.

Aunt Vivian
Aunt Vivian is a lady who has a special style. She’s bubbly and friendly and she always wears a smile. My Dad is glad to help out if her TV set should break. We’ll go to dinner or a movie, but she likes to cook and bake. You know I think you’re special, but now I’ll say it once more. When you come up to stand beside me to light candle number four.

Aunt Carol
Aunt Carol lives in California so I don’t see her a lot. But we write each other often ­ she’s the best pen pal I’ve got. She really loves to travel so she’s always on the go. She keeps up with the family so she’s always in the know. Having you here for my bat Mitzvah means so very much. That’s why candle number five is here now waiting for your touch.

David’s Friends
I have a lot of friends and I’m a really lucky guy. I don’t have time to name them all so I won’t even try. Girls and boys together, many old friends, many new. You all know just who you are and how I feel about all of you. This special group please come up now. Good friends are hard to find. This candle is for these friends that truly are one of a kind.