Last October, I introduced here the concept of Psalm Flights, where I’m riffing poetry off a line or two of each psalm. I’m still slowly making my way through the psalter in this fashion, generally guided by what I encounter on Sundays, but not always. This week, I thought I would share a couple more of my poems. Another of them has already been published by Ordinary Mystic, and you can find it here.
Psalm 27, verses 5–6: One thing have I asked of the LORD; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life; To behold the fair beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
Lord of Justice,
What has happened to
Sanctuary, to
Passionate, powerful pilgrims
Declaring your temple
Place of Refuge?
I covet
Hanging out in
Beautiful buildings,
Hearing ancient echoes of
Holy songs,
Sipping sustenance from
Sun-shot stained glass,
Filtering footsteps from
Within chilly walls.
Would you let me stay, or
Would you drive me into
Wilderness,
Declaring need for
Sanctuary on street-corners,
Sustenance in courtrooms,
Holy hallowing of skyscrapers?
Psalm 46, verse 11a: Be still, then, and know that I am God.
Be still and know
Be still and trust
Be whole in heart
Because you must
Hold open flame
Within the dark
In hopes to
Generate a spark.
Be true and act
Be true and sound
Be filled with love
For world around
Because you must
Hold high the flame
Embrace us all
In Jesus’ name.
– © Shirin McArthur 2017
