Psalms

lord

pray

pray loudly against the noise of the human hand

which seeks to drown you out

and appear on quiet soles

so that we might understand your footsteps

exert yourself

in order to recognize our prayers

even when they appear in a different garment

because no prayer ever looses itself from the source of the one praying

                                                        •

lord

take up the speech

by which i pray to you

grant me the gestures

which have grown within me in your absence

so that i might remain true to my uneducable nature

and take your weakness upon me

                                                        •

lord

you should always wander and never let yourself

settle down

because there are no longer any dwelling places

only footsteps

be loud and penetrating

sympathize with me and my stirrings

lead me

all the way to your bread

so that my word might wake

                                                       •

lord

stay by me

even if i nourish myself from ashes and salt

be still and listen to that name

which i lend to you

because i want to distinguish you from the idols

grant me patience to endure those who are vain

with their empty words

and the converts

who are zealous to confirm their opposite

and grant

that my waiting be full of revolt

                                                       •

lord

when you arrive

we will be light

bread and water

the table is set and the door opened

come and take your place among us

free me of the belief

that you are only faithful from a distance

and speak with me

in the unharried language of animals

who from far off lie in wait for us

with their unadulterated hunger