Poetica Magazine Cover features work by Marlene Burns

Kaddish Yatom by Marlene Burns is an expression of the prayer said by mourners during the mourning period and on the anniversary of an immediate family member’s death. The prayer does not refer to our loved ones, but rather sanctifies G-d’s name and affirms life. Our sages displayed great wisdom in understanding that repeating these ancient Aramaic words three times a day is an integral part of our healing process.

“May His great Name grow exalted and sanctified in the world that He created as He willed. May He give reign to His Kingship in your lifetimes and in your days and in the lifetimes of the entire family of Israel, swiftly and soon. Now respond: Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and ever.

Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled, mighty, upraised and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, Blessed is He.
May there be abundant peace from Heaven and life upon us and upon all of Israel. Now respond: Amen.
He who makes peace in the His heights, may He make peace upon us, upon all Israel and now respond: Amen.”

There are two Hebrew words hidden in this image, the first being “Chai,” meaning life. The second is the double ‘yud’ name of G-d.

The ladder references the Kabbalistic meditation using the seven words starting with the letter ‘vav.’ As this prayer is said, the mourner envisions a ladder to heaven. With each vav word said, another rung is climbed, carrying the soul of our loved one straight to God.

The flowing lines wending their way through the ladder, show the path of the souls as they journey back to G-d. The fields of metallic colors represent the heavenly realm and the red represents G-d. As the souls journey back to the Holy One of Blessing, they transform from partial to whole circles.

View more of Marlene’s work at www.kavanahpress.com