Psalm of Gethsemane

The rain falls on Gethsemane 
Time gathers itself now to ending-- 
Near the brook of Kedron, east 
Of Jerusalem.  Rain falls on Gethsemane, 
In the darkness, outside the silenced city. 
Jesus lies face down 
In the grass of Gethsemane, asking. 

The rain falls on Gethsemane, 
And he drinks as a snake clings 
To the banks.  A nameless bird puts beak to breast 
And a toad sleeps in the rain in Gethsemane. 
A blue flower folds itself inward 
As if the sun will never come again. 
He shivers, his hands at his temples. 

The rain falls on Gethsemane, 
Clings to the leaves, drops 
Onto earth which accepts weeping 
Such as his.  The rain falls on Gethsemane, 
Singing with his late breath 
That everything will change 
And that must be answer enough. 

Allyson Shaw




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