Everywhere in this new long poem by Bialer there is light: Orbs in the skies, at Lightscape in Brooklyn, on the Rockefeller Christmas tree and all over Fifth Avenue. And there's the light in Handel's classic oratorio MESSIAH. The title of this poem comes from a psalm in the piece where there's a vast command of biblical narrative and imagery: A collection of quotations from the Old and New Testaments. Hallelujah, hallelujah. It's the poet's sixtieth birthday and holiday season since the poet's wife died of breast cancer and he is determined that it will all be festive even though grief still lingers. He and his girlfriend light a candle in her memory at St. Patrick's Cathedral. UPON THEM THE LIGHT SHINED is a love letter to New York City and a celebration of the light of love.