Standing here in Boston Common
Happy kids’ voices trickling over from the playground
The imam tells us not to fear each other
The reverend tells us she will poke holes in the darkness
I am aware of how vulnerable we are
Despite the police flanking the Parkman Bandstand
Anyone here could be like that
Madman in the shulSynagogue (Yiddish) in Pittsburgh
But we came anyway
We who believe this country
May someday yet live up to its ideals
We came here
We said kaddishThe Aramaic memorial prayer for the dead. Mourners recite this prayer at every service, every day, in the presence of a minyan (prayer quorum) over the course of a year (for a parent) or thirty days (for a sibling or offspring). The prayer actually makes no mention of the dead, but rather prays for the sanctification and magnification of God's name. together
We sang together
Darkness cannot drive out darkness
Only light can drive out the darkness
Some days we seek out light made by others
Some days we must make the light ourselves
