Stephen Mitchell

Turn toward me; touch my spirit;

stay beside me, until

the moment when I must step out

into your final darkness

For my days fly away like smoke,

and my bones burn down to ashes.

Sorrow gives me no respite;

anguish crushes my heart.

I am like an owl in the wilderness,

like a hawk in the desert places.

All night I lie awake,

like a sparrow upon a rooftop.

My food has all turned to ashes;

tears are my only drink.

My life is a lengthening shadow,

and my days wither like grass

praise his fathomless mercy

and thank him for his difficult grace.

All beings perform his covenant

and act out his primal law:

that whatever we reap, we have sown,

and what we give, we receive.

To know this is the beginning of wisdom;

to live it is the path of true life.

No more will they drown out God's silence

and shut their hearts to his song.”