She strikes the match,
Her concentration as intense as the flame.
As the candle wicks flare
Her heart fills with joy.
She glances at the candles
Mini fires flickering together
She feels her soul overflow
Due to the happiness within.
She draws the flames
Closer to her, with both hands,
In the way of the age old tradition.
She covers her eyes and
She begins to pray;
For the safety of her children,
For their continued success in life,
For the health of the extended family,
And for her people at large.
She includes a special prayer
For the aged and the sick
And at this most holy of times
She whispers her most fervent wish.
That in the fullness of time
When the good Lord decides it’s right
That He will send her the person
To sing Eishet Chayil Friday nights.
A partner, a lover, a beloved best friend,
Someone to help her, nurture her,
Respect her and cherish her
A true soulmate, her real bashert.
She sets no physical parameters
In this, her heartfelt prayer,
She wishes only for peace and shalom,
She hopes He will help her get there.
One day she knows
She will light the same candles and
Pray the identical prayer
Then she will open her eyes
To find him standing right there.