The only psalm I had memorized was the 23rd
and now I find myself searching for the order
of the phrases knowing it ends with surely
goodness and mercy will follow me
all the days of my life and I will dwell
in the house of the Lord forever only I remember
seeing a new translation from the original Hebrew
and forever wasn't forever but a long time
which is different from forever although
even a long time today would be
good enough for me even a minute entering
the House would be good enough for me,
even a hand on the door or dropping today's
newspaper on the stoop or looking in the windows
that are reflecting this morning's clouds in first light.
"Psalm" by Stuart Kestenbaum, from Prayers & Run-on Sentences. © Deerbrook Editions, 2007.Photography credit: Untitled image by unknown photographer (originally color).
This is an amazing poem! I just taught the 23rd psalm to my students yesterday using several alternative translations I'm sending this to all of them. Thank you so much for posting. This is more than a "coincidence"
ReplyDeleteA lovely sacred synchronicity. Thanks for telling me!
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