When things grow dark, when words fail me, I turn to the words of scripture and to the One who is the Word. There I find grounding. Comfort. Challenge. Over the years, the psalms in particular have been written into my heart through tones and tunes, their melodies carrying truth deeper than words alone.
The heaviness and cold of this week have drawn me especially to Psalm 27, the psalm appointed for this Sunday’s worship. Its opening line calls to mind a favorite Taizé chant I love to sing: “The Lord is my light and salvation; in God I trust.” Perhaps you know it. You can listen and sing along with it here.
Blackout poetry is one creative way of engaging and praying with the words of scripture, of discovering perspective and meaning already present on the page. The process is simple. Begin by reading through the text slowly, circling or highlighting words and phrases that capture your attention. Then return to the text and cross out what you no longer need, noticing if new words emerge. If you need connecting words, look carefully to see whether they already exist in the text between the words you have chosen. If they don’t, it’s okay to add them, along with punctuation if needed. Once your poem or prayer has taken shape, black out the unused words with a Sharpie or your word processor’s black highlighter.
Below (also available here) is my blackout poem using Psalm 27. Would you like to try? Here’s a link to the full text where you can begin. If you feel comfortable, I hope you’ll share your poem prayer.
Much love,
Anna
_____ Lord, ______________________
whom shall I fear?
_____________________ ________
________________________
____________ evildoers? ________
______________
___ adversaries? __________
_____________________
_ Though ________________________
_______________________
______ war rises up, __________
_____ I will be confident.
_______________________________________
______ I seek _
to live. ____________________
______________________,
to behold ____ beauty. _________
_______________________
__________________________________________
in the day of trouble,
___________________________________
___________________________
_____________________________________
______________________________
____ I will _____________
sacrifice. ________________
I will sing. ____________________
________________ When I cry, ______
_____________________________
_____________________________________________
__________________________________________
______________________________
______________________ help
____________________________ me,
O God of my salvation!
_______________________________________________
_____________________
__ Teach me _____________
_________________________
_____________________
_______________________ to ___________________
_________ witness ___________ against ___
_____________________ violence
______________________________________________________
in the land ___________
____________________________
__________ and ______________ take courage.
__________________