Kaddish

A dozen times a day I say your name is great And holy I see their faces.
The world is as you will
I know you are the king
So why
Do I shake with their fear?

Where is salvation
Where is Messiah
In our life
And in the days
Of all of your children
Is your name so great?
And still

A dozen times a day
I say your great name
Is blessed
For ever and ever
And ever.
Where is the praise
The beauty and the splendor
Thick stench
Coarse hands
A shattered world.
Is your name still higher
than every comfort?

I know you are our father
I know you are the fire
In the thorns
Their pain and blood is yours.
But we are so small
Bring your peace in heaven
here

This poem interleaves quotations from and references to the traditional kaddish prayer with thoughts on the current crisis in Israel, the hostages, the soldiers, and all the people of Israel. See here for more on the symbolism of the burning bush.