THE WOMEN

THE WOMEN

- Joy Krauthammer

In the noon day sun

four friends fill the new grave 

up to the top 

filling all corners, edges, spaces, depth

so the deceased is not left 

uncovered, alone 

in her exposed plain wood coffin

after family and community 

say Kaddish prayer,

add their shovels of rock-filled 

bone-dry heavy earth

and leave cemetery

for mourners’ Meal of Consolation.

Grieving daughter stays behind.

Female friends don't wait

for the grave-digger workmen 

to come later to do their 'job'.

Friends with daughter

do their final mitzvah / good deed

for her beloved mom, Rose,

of blessed memory 

and with their long-handled steel shovels

give her a blanket of love.

Daughter receives the comfort 

given in chesed / loving-kindness

and knows her beloved mother

Raizel bat Mordechai v’ Baila

is cared for

and her soul can soar

to Shamayim / heaven.

May She be Bound in the Bond of Eternal Life.

May Rose's memory be for a blessing.

-  with love from Joy Krauthammer

Friend, I hold you in my heart.

May The Compassionate One comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Hamakom y'nachem etkhem b'tokh sh'ar avelei Tziyon v'Yerushalayim.

~

Daughter Hare, with Joy, Barbara and Marianne

Levaya / Funeral April 15, 2011

8 Nissan, 5771

~

Photo (c) Nathan

.