In the Shadow
One of my favourite passages in the Bible is Psalm 91, with its beautiful opening statement that “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most Hight / will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”. Here is a poem that I have written based around that psalm – the next in the series of poems that I am writing for my memoir project about the Psalms. Enjoy.
In the Shadow
The fire comes to take the barn;
The chicks are quaking with the fear.
The fowler’s coming with his snares;
Yet you may rest beneath…
The night-time has its terrors vast;
The day has arrows flying by.
The darkness crouches, pestilent;
Yet you may hide within…
Thousands fall at your right hand,
Thousands by your frightened side.
Fires and wars rage all around.
Yet you may shelter in…
The shadow of the Most High stretches
Out like wings over your fears.
You will see your foes afraid
And rest beneath the wings.
Angels come into the dark,
Feathers cover you, alone.
He who dwells within this shade
Will find his shelter there.
The Consolations of Writing 