Mizmor Shir hanukat habayit l’david
Trimmings of a song of dedication
of house and home, for you, beloved and dear.
Yea, I hold aloft my gratitude
for doors held open to me
gates of opportunity and safety
from enemies – false pride, vain enmity.
Yah, do you hear, hear that knock,
my knocking on empty space
fists clenched and raised.
Where is heaven’s door anyway?
Is anybody home?
I need a Place, a place to stay.
It’s cold. It’s dark. Too long
this exile, too far from home.
Let the pain steer your song
A plea breeds purpose
A prayer stirs kindness,
awakens mind to grateful eyes.
Let your rage be like a fleeting sneeze
cupped hand offering cover.
Nightfall’s tears, by morning gone
dried by love of life, godly desire.
See sunrise visit with another song.
Come in, come in,
You are welcome here
From dawn’s direction,
A homecoming.
How easy it is to fool ourselves,
to make believe that it’s all OK,
that I could close off from all that that is
and is not my doing.
This house, this home, this earth
a loan, all that is, on loan
to tend and lend in turn
the blessings briefly borrowed.
May your will in me
give strength that I not hide,
nor bolt the door to welcome
none but my own fear.
I’ll make the call, to you
I cry, invoking all the grace
I can muster today in the face
of all my whys.
No gain in wasted space
In blessings left unsaid
Shema Adonai, Shema Yisrael
Let listening make room for grandeur.
You turned my mourning to an ecstatic dance
Loosed my sackcloth and lifted me with joy
Glory and Honor gird this song
Glorious home. Honored guests. Grateful hosts.
Bless this House now and evermore.
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