Peace Unto You, Sabbath Messengers

I’m currently putting the finishing touches on a new prayerbook for Shabbat eve which will feature my own poetic renderings of traditional prayers as well as some new poetry. Here’s a sneak preview: my take on Shalom Aleichem, the prayer of welcome to the angels/messengers of Shabbat:

The sun vanishes
into the dark calm of Shabbat,
now only vestigial blessings remain,
sparks of light
radiating through the sky’s expanse,
dancing like fireflies in
the summer twilight.

Now watch as these luminous messengers
alight on parched and tired soil.
See how the earth drinks in their light
like a wanderer who has discovered
a living spring
in the heart of
barren wilderness.

Soon they will arrive at your door.
Open wide you thirsting soul
and prepare to greet them.