Thanks (or apologies) to Spencer LaJoye and their powerful Plowshare Prayer which rhythm was in my head as I began to write this prayer.
Dear flowers and trees and honey bees
Dear oceans sands, and forested lands
Dear insects and birds
and songs unheard
I’m sorry
I’m sorry for the hurt
that we caused
I’m sorry we haven’t
done better
Ani l’dodi
G-d walking the fields
Grieving over
Destruction
Dear friends and neighbors
dear activists and enablers
What have we done?
Oh, what have we done?
I pray we do better
I pray we repent
I pray we are forgiven
for being so spent
I pray we can learn
I pray we can act
I reach out my hand to each bat and each cat
to each flower and tree
and each honey bee
that we threaten and hate
with no thought of the future
with its fires and floods
It’s hurricanes bursting
and carrying mud
Oh earth, how we’ve harmed you
Oh earth, help us heal
God above, or God in the field
Forgive us, forgive us
for what we have wrought
Let us learn
what you have taught
To till and to tend
That is our task
Not to destroy
Not to hold back
To hold all
of your creatures as dear
I pray, I pray
we can become clear.
Forgive us, forgive us
For we surely lack
enough deeds
that will put us on track
Give us strength, help us heal
Slakh lanu, Mekhal Lanu, Kaper Lanu
Amen
