After Shiva
by Alden Solovy
After shiva, now what? I remember that feeling when my father Jack z”l died. It reappeared when Ami z”l died. Her shiva ended abruptly with the start of Passover. After the hubbub, that empty silence settled in. I wrote this prayer of loss and healing for my extended family as the shiva for my uncle Jerry z”l ended in January. The rhythms of mourning are on my mind again as our family prepares to place the headstone on his grave this week.
After Shiva
The days have passed
And a quiet has settled on my home.
My grief still holds me.
My sorrow is present.
Yet You, G-d of seasons,
Ask me to look gently
Toward the future.
You, G-d of creation,
Ask me to imagine a time
When the pain begins to fade,
A time when my hopes are renewed.
You, G-d of generations,
Ask me to honor life,
To cherish memory,
To love those who remain.
Source and Shelter,
Loving Guide of the bereaved,
Lead me on the path toward
Wholeness and healing,
Peace and comfort,
So that I become a well
Of compassion and strength.
G-d of Old,
Your ways are secret,
Sacred and holy.
You are my Rock.
You are my Lamp.
Blessed are You,
G-d of All,
Who redeems the bereaved
With love.
© 2011 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.
Alden Solovy is a liturgist, poet, teacher, editor and writing coach, as well as an award-winning essayist and journalist. His work combines ancient ideas with new voices and modern rhythms into a unique range of prayers, meditations and poetry. Alden’s work includes classically Jewish liturgical forms, non-denominational spiritual prayer/poems and meditations for men. (www.tobendlight.com, asolovy54 @ gmail.com). Alden completed the New Warrior Training Adventure in Chicago, in 2009.
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