A Mourner’s Kaddish / Charles Bernstein

let the memory
of the dead
be sanctified
even as flesh
decays
spirit stays
in memory
is body, soul
what's left
is loss
outlasts life
good, bad
rights, wrong
love, anger,
hopes, disappointment
care, neglect, communions and
disunion, sorrows, joy
the life lived
now holy
in memory
in tears in bitterness
gratitude delight
let the names of the dead
be exalted
& so may
[Sherry, Emma, Rose]
be praised
honored, extolled
glorified, adored
beyond earthly cares
or songs of comfort
beyond blame or merit
let there now be
acknowledgement
in this transition
beyond blessing