a poetic reinterpretation
written in contrapuntal voice to Psalm 26
Look on me with the eyes of Love.
When I open my hands
like this
let that be a signal to you
that I have opened my heart
to you as well.
It isn't easy for me to do
to let you in like this
to invite you to know me
from the inside-out
(as if you didn't already).
See what I do?
As soon as I invite you in,
I clamp down again--
start trying to justify myself.
I parade out my spiritual practices
as if they were accomplishments.
I set them out before you
as if to say, "Look at me!"
(Don't look at me!)
See how much I care, I love,
I try, I work, I..., I..., I...
I am not like them.
Am I?"
What a lonely, barren place,
my congregation of one.
Then you say it back to me:
Look at me with the eyes of Love
(Not fear, dear one.)
When I open my hands
like this
let that be a signal to you
that I have opened my heart
to you as well--
and I let you in.
No need to justify yourself.
Within me,
I think you'll be surprised to find,
the whole world is gathered.
-Jennifer W. Davidson