Ruth had a suggestion for this first Thursday that ties to the season of Lent: write a Psalm of Lament. I have been laid up with Covid all week. It’s not a severe case, but it’s lingering and frustrating me with headaches and a lack of energy. I got outside for a walk this morning, and that has helped my disposition greatly. On my walk, my priest (who happens to live in my neighborhood) stopped her car and asked, “Are you off of school today?”
We talked, and she advised me to lean into this quiet time. To let God work in God’s time. Of course, that is good advice, but it’s not what I wanted to hear when I just want to be over it already. I pulled out a copy of the New Zealand Prayer Book and started to read the Psalms.
As I read, I realized the psalmists were just regular people living their regular lives and wanting more, wishing for God to redeem them, make their suffering worthwhile. When we read these old texts, we feel ourselves in those moments of stress, worry, ill health, and mourning. It’s a universal experience, lament.
Like my cats mew waiting
for my footsteps, waiting for me to greet them,
so do I long for you, God.My illness clouds my thoughts,
so I reach for your presence. I cry,
“Where now is my God?”I wait in hope
as a desert rose thirsts for clean water.
I open my ears to hearthe roar of wind breaking branches
calling through tones
of a wind chime in the tree.I am the one whose branches are broken
who sings a mournful tune.You, O God, are my strength.
You save me from the destructive wind.
You hand me a cup of hot tea, a spoon of honey,
sweet taste of life.Why do I mourn when I have such gifts?
Wait, you say, wait in hope.
Sit in stillness
for You are here
with me.Margaret Simon, draft
The Kidlit Progressive Poem is with Robyn Hood Black today.
Reflections on the Teche 
That’s lovely. Did you follow the Psalm format or was that your own? What a beautiful way of lamenting and comforting at the same time. I particular like the personal touches of the cat, the tea and the honey. They bring it right home.
I used the psalm form for reference but added my own imagery. This was a first attempt. I’ve been wanting to try writing a psalm so this topic gave me a push.
Sorry to hear of the Covid – no fun for sure but the writing was lovely. I like the line Wait you say, Wait in Hope! Yes hope is needed these days for so many reasons.
What strikes me most here is the psalmists’ desire to make the suffering worthwhile – not to remove it. That is world of difference; from it comes a wellspring of strength. Your lament sounds so like Scripture. When we are weak, in the depths of our suffering, we do long for him most. The hope and praise you express in the lament sing in my soul. I pray each day brings you more and more healing, friend. Know that your words have strengthened me, and I am grateful
Margaret: I’m so sorry for your illness, but I welcome your psalm of lament. I love your images: the thirsty rose, the broken branches, the sweet honey. Thank you so much for sharing this. It encourages me to write my own psalm of lament. My prayers for a speedy recovery.
Oh, Margaret, this is lovely. The intimacy of your relationship with God comes through in these lines, “You hand me a cup of hot tea, a spoon of honey, / sweet taste of life.” And then the whole poem is even better for me. The question of “Why do I mourn…?” and God’s clear answer/nonanswer, “Wait. Wait in hope.” So beautiful! Hope you are feeling back to normal now.
Thanks, Denise. I am good.