Shiva

Paid a shiva* call today,
No one I know well;
Still, it was appreciated,
Far as I can tell.

Lots of friends dropped by to help
Alleviate her grief;
Company and food provide
A trickle of relief.

The widow seemed relaxed and calm
And really in control.
No matter what she felt inside,
She nailed her new-found role.

I tried to picture how she feels
When everyone gets going,
And she is left to mourn alone;
There is no way of knowing.

But while we’re there, she can pretend
That life is as it should be;
And we, the visitors, reflect
On death and how it could be.

*Jewish custom of receiving guests after a death