KADDISH
Gathered—
a community mourns.
But what redeems the loss?
Eight Words of praise
carved by the wind of time
carved by years of human loss
the Kaddish stands
on the hill asking
mourners to stand
always on the hill
crafted to mend broken hearts
uplift fragmented spirits
Its rhythm anchors
ships tossed at
sea
Each syllable
adds the needed weight
to moor each boat to shore.
— Abraham Menashe
© 2017