PSALM 30 – Daily Dose of Dedication and Thanks
In times forgotten, they used to rub oil
On the palates of new-borns awaiting the breast
And when words are carried, passed along on tongues
The mothers that birthed must wean them at last.
לחנוך la’hanoch meant to train, nursing child, ailing hearts
And Hanuccah is dedication, lubricating fresh starts.
So we train…
The mouth to receive what is lovingly given
The body to perform what the Spirit can dream
The house to breed love, through friendship and peace,
And songs of thanksgiving, sorrow, wonder and praise.
Open the eyes and train them with water.
Cry for the pains, and the weight of our wrongs
Tears for the loss, for what’s left in the field
Now to be watered, made holy and healed.
Open the mind and train her with stillness
Soothe her with silence and empty her bin
Of unwanted anger and sadness, and greed
Of racing and working for what we don’t need.
And I, v’ani amarti b’shalvi,
When I choose from the thoughts of the whirl in my head
Let me lift up the ones that are free from dis-ease
Shalvi is my stillness, the witness who wonders
No pressing “to do’ list, just a longing to be.
Open the ears and train them with music
Rhythms in blues, and yellows and greens.
Drink in the music, invite it to fill me
To move me from mourning to dancing Life’s joy.
Open the lips to suckle at the curves of these mountains
Inhaling the breezes that soften her peaks
Stretching the lungs so they just have to sing.
Adonai Elohai l’olam odeka – Oh Yah, my God, it’s always good to give thanks.