If God would speak

If God would speak
would I listen anyway

If God would speak
- the mountains shout:
who do you think made us?
- the cliff faces echo:
we are not an accident

If God would speak
- as I fly at 22,000 feet
is God silent?
- does creativity
happen by choice?

If God would speak
decisions could be made

But God does speak
and I strain to hear

But God does speak
through friends and colleagues
and family
through grandeur and space
and intricate land patterns

But God does speak
through engineering
and flight
through cloud
and sun and sky

But God does speak
and I strain to hear

Be still my soul
and listen carefully

Be still my soul
and see the people
who are brought before you
and hear the birds
who sing their song

Be still my soul
and touch the flesh
of the woman you love
and smell the aroma
of fresh baked bread

Be still my soul
And listen carefully

If God would speak
But God does speak
Be still my soul

Would I listen anyway
I strain to hear
Listen carefully

Be still my soul

A Sad Country

(after the election 2004)

Is there no justice?
Is there no mercy?
Does anyone walk humbly?

Or have we fallen
for the lie:
My self-interest
is in your best interest

Our country
A sadder place
Than before

Can we regain
A conscience
Or do we need to crumble
Before we again become humble?