Saying kaddish at I Rei To*
I come in humility and with great respect**
under the towering Sierra
grief eroding like granite
grains of quarts mica feldspar
persisting into cracks
sharp tenacious
may the great names of ancestors
be blessed forever and to all eternity
purify me, cleanse me, protect me
beyond all the blessings and hymns
praises and consolations
ever spoken in the world
may their memory cracks
open our hearts
to the dignity of all beings
from the humble sage to
the clouds above
cleanse my spirit, grant me health and spiritual renewal
help me find the courage
to make each breath a blessing
from the summits of the Inyo range
and the lows of volcanic fields
from the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart
may abundant peace and life
flow for us and all generations
here and everywhere
*Soul Consoling Tower, Manzanar Relocation Center Cemetery, CA
**Excerpts from Norito prayers
