saying kaddish

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly
be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self
was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we
might no longer be enslaved to sin. Romans 6:5-6
- - - -

lying in bed at night,
                for the examen of my
                                         life,
                                       i fall asleep
                dreaming of that
                newness which is
                           mine, through
                           you

yet
                                                      each morning,
          i reach into the closet
                pulling out my old life,
                resurrecting
                                     it for
                            (just, i whisper)
                   one more day,
    leaving your grace,
          pristine and neat,
          on the plastic encased hanger;

so
       drive me to the
                          cemetery
               where i can say my goodbyes
           to
               the ashes of my worst self,
               the dust of my aged desires,
and
                    turn to embrace you,
the bright Son
of resurrection.

© 2013 Thom M. Shuman