Living Psalm 8 – Trinity C

Psalms in the form of words and art, reborn in the specific contexts of our world, privileging the voices of historically marginalized communities and those acting in solidarity with them.

Maker, Lover, Keeper
I whisper to the moon I meet
before dawn when my eyes
are scratchy and spirits low.
The babies are hungry.
Parents are afraid.
My own breast aches
with them, waiting, waiting.

I walk the path behind my house
before the sun has truly risen.
I watch for coyotes, made brave
from thirst in this droughted plain
and stand for awhile watching
my neighbor’s cattle.

They are much larger up close
than I used to imagine in my youth
when I sped by fields in Massachusetts.
Here, in the West, everything feels bigger,
wider, more desperate to be cared for,
and also to be left alone to heal.

The calves stick close to their mothers
this morning, heads pressed against
them for warmth, content in the belief
that this one being will keep them safe.
Giver, Gift, and Holy Spirit
I whisper as the sun begins to rise,
shower us with the grace we are afraid
to ask for. Bathe us in your love –

the same love that shows us the stars
and the path to the water, the new
sprouted plants in the field and
the tenacity of our justice seeking spirits
when protection, dignity, and safety
seem lost. I wave to my neighbor.
I forget to say Amen until I am home
and dressed and the day has properly begun.
Amen and amen and amen

Living Psalm for Trinity C was written by Maria Mankin.
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Living Psalms Book is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group, a Network of UCC connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community. Maren Tirabassi, editor

Logo is detail from Living Psalm 80 by Sophia Beardemphl, Redwoods, CA. Recovering from significant bullying, Sophia, age nine, read Psalm 80 and thought of brokenness that needs mending. She drew this broken and mended bowl.

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