by Rich Orloff (New York, NY)
To God
To my ancestors
To anyone who will listen
I ask and pray for this:
Bless me with a peace
That’s deeper than happiness
That makes room for profound sorrow
That accepts pain and loss
That’s not dependent on good news
Bless me with a peace
That comforts me when I feel anguish
That steadies me when I feel uncertain
That expands me when I think small
That finds a way through my fiercest resistance
Bless me with a peace
That stretches beyond my horizons
That heals even if I can’t explain why
That offers delight as an everyday gift
That allows me to see blessings
Bless me with a peace
That is a refuge from torment
That is an oasis from yearning
That is a sanctuary from trauma
That transcends all else
But never denies all else
Bless me with a peace
That renews my gratitude for life
And that I can access
Every time I let you in
Rich Orloff writes both poems and plays. His poems have been published in The Poet, Fragments (published by T’ruah), and Fresh Words magazines, and they’ve been presented at churches and synagogues, performed in theaters and schools, read at meditation and yoga groups, and spoken at events both lofty and intimate. Rich’s plays include the Purim-themed musical comedy Esther in the Spotlight (performed so far in New York, Toronto and Tel Aviv), the comedic revue OY! (over 50 productions in the United States – and one in Bulgaria), and many more, of all lengths, styles and subjects. Rich’s plays have had over two thousand performances on six continents – and a staged reading in Antarctica. More at www.richorloff.com.
The Jewish Writing Project 
Beautifully written—a lesson that I learned in midlife that changes life (and work) for the better. Too much self-torture and upset (and therefore spiraling into despair and more) seems caused by the judgment of “bad” or “negative” feelings and experiences, rather than acceptance of all as part of the tapestry of life. Your poem/prayer offers a sacred middle ground of acceptance and gratitude for being able to experience and feel all that we are offered.
This is beautiful.