Psalm 169

Psalm 136

give thanks, and give it often

for the well is never empty

give thanks in days of plenty

for the well is never empty

give thanks when they bottom out

for the well is never empty



to the source of life

for the well is never empty

to the dream unfolding    

            for the well is never empty

to the deaf composer

             for the well is never empty

to the blind painter

            for the well is never empty

to the broke curator

gone bust on art for others

            for the well is never empty



to the dead species

            for the well is never empty

to the sunken islands

            for the well is never empty

to the surviving children

            for the well is never empty

to the mothers lost who birthed them

            for the well is never empty



to the incomprehensible

            for the well is never empty

to the incalculable

            for the well is never empty

to the incomparable

            for the well is never empty

to the irreducible

            for the well is never empty



to the long-winded

            for the well is never empty

to the soft-spoken

            for the well is never empty

to the funny ha-ha

            for the well is never empty

to the curse withheld

            for the well is never empty

give thanks, and give it often

for the fuller the well

the more it can be emptied.



 

Greg Kennedy, SJ works as a spiritual director at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, Ontario. He is author of Reupholstered Psalms volumes I, II, and III; and Amazing Friendships between Animals and Saints (Novalis Press).

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4 Comments
  • Friederika Priemer
    Posted at 08:49h, 26 July Reply

    Thanks for this lovely poem, Fr. Kennedy!

  • Peter+Bisson
    Posted at 10:36h, 26 July Reply

    Thanks Greg!

  • Eric+Jensen
    Posted at 15:45h, 26 July Reply

    May your well never run dry!

  • Elia+Cuomo
    Posted at 18:21h, 26 July Reply

    What a lovely and unique interpretation. Thank you so much for the well in never empty. AMDG

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