This poem, by Sam Kittrell, is the first in a series we’re calling “Psalms, Proverbs, and Parables.” The goal is to adopt the format of the biblical psalms (poems and songs to God), proverbs (pithy sayings, mostly about wisdom and foolishness), and parables (images and stories that convey deeper truths) as we wrestle with God and life and death and beauty here in the 21st Century. To be clear, we are not suggesting that our words could be comparable to Holy Scripture. But there’s a reason David spoke in psalms, Solomon in proverbs, and Jesus in parables. Whenever we try to understand something really profound, we are forced into the world of stories and songs. If a picture says a thousand words, a good poem, proverb or parable says a million.
— Ross
Heart of Mud & Spit (A Psalm)
As incense burned by ghosts,
The scent of death
Surrounds me
As the wake of some great ship,
The tide of chaos
Trails me
My heart cries out
To the Lord always
But I remain
Expressionless.
My soul writhes,
My spirit grieves,
But my outer wall remains
Unfazed.
Lord, let me feel.
Damn this indifference.
Give me a heart of mud and spit
And open my eyes
Give me a heart of bread and fish
And feed my soul five thousand times
Give me a heart of fine perfume
And pour me out upon your feet
Raise this Lazarus heart
Once more