At the northern edge of humanity
hidden in a polar embrace
forbidden candles flicker and dance
outside wind howls
in the hallway, workers trudge day and night
Inside, there is an island, tiny and fragile
my lips whisper blessings
my cup holds only water, not wine
my table only matzah, not challah
my family far away
I welcome the Shabbos queen
wondering if she’s visited here before
has she seen the unending night?
has she watched out for polar bears?
does she travel this far north?
I say more blessings and curl up in my bed
a small bit of comfort in a small room
a book for company
forbidden candles dying down
prayers for a safe return home on my lips
The Sabbath and I huddle together
strangers in this place
I picture my family, safe and warm
the brighter glow of welcome candles
the Sabbath and I drift off to sleep
The Safek 
Beautiful poem, but why are the candles forbidden?
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Technically, there were not supposed to be any open flames in the dorm rooms up there, so no candles allowed. I figured since I would be right there with them, it was an acceptable risk. 😉
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I see – hadn’t realized you were in a dorm room. We hit this issue several times when we had to spend Shabbos in hotels and light candles in a hotel room. What about smoke alarms?
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I used tea lights and didn’t set them off. I find that they work well in hotels as well.
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Yes, I also use tea lights when traveling. I guess either we had an ultra-sensitive smoke alarm, or yours wasn’t that sensitive.
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