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.