Collects: Sparrows

After Knut Nystedt, “Prayers of Kierkegaard, Pt. 3: Great Are You, O God” and Anathallo, “Sparrows”

I.

When under the arch of heaven I stand surrounded by the wonders of creation, I rapturously and adoringly praise your greatness, you who lightly hold the stars in the infinite and concern yourself fatherly with the sparrow…

(Søren Kierkegaard, Christian Discourses)

So praise:

the roof is gone;

            we behold the heavens.

Stars break through at night,

            the sun

declares the day too bright for us –

                        we praise

and trust,

as birdsong breaks

            into the sanctuary quiet.

Even sparrows

            find a home…

Though altars burn

            yet nothing ever

binds the hands

                        of Him who holds the stars

                                    and cares

a Father, for His little flock

            and opens wide the sky to show

                        the openness of loving hands

and

            even cares

for sparrows,                         even

clothes the grass

                        with dew…

 

II.

…if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

(Luke 12:28)

 

Sparrows whistle –

grass is buzzing –

day is gaining

heat and light.

Sing O sing –

sing all creation,

sing guitar strings –

sing.

Whisper, beaks,

            and dance, small talons,

sing and trust –

            the ground now breaks

with momentum

            into day

and as you hope,       small sparrows,

           for these

crowns of leaves        and songs

of breezes: how

      much more,

           O you

little-faith-ones,

            weak and wilting,

how much more

will He                        crown you?