Psalm 29

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The voice of the Lord
is above the waters
and there are some -
we call them scientists -
who attend to the sound

They see the depression
in the water
(God's sighs?)
they track the disturbance
(God slaps the water,
or puts a finger to it;
stirs it up?)
they plot a possible development
(scientists know better than to speak for God,
but maybe they help with the language).

Listen, listen!
they tell the poets
who make stories from disaster
It doesn't have to be this way!

Yes there is fire
Yes there is wind
so strong it'll take up a country
in its swirl.
Yes, we are shaken
all of us 
in the wilderness

But poetry can come before disaster.
The color-coded map
the satellite photo
the evacuation plan

Let all those who hear
take heed
isn't that what Jesus said?
We hear.
Let us help.
It is I.
This is not a question.