Jonah's Lament

Apprehensively I'm cast
unceremoniously into the raging sea
I shout,
"My God, I will not go to Nineveh!
Let me plunge to my watery berth!"
salty water stings my eyes, burns my nose
waves crash upon my head
" I do not want to go, Lord!"
Choking and spewing out water
my world grows darker
"I do not want to die, Lord -
but why should I go?"
I feel like a stone
sinking,
sinking
fear engulfs me,
the netherworld encroaching
"My God! Is there no compassion for me"
Wait,
what grave is this?
"God, is this your idea of a joke
leaving me as an appetizer
for this monstrous fish!"
But I praise you Lord
for your great mercy.
I long to worship you
once more at the temple gates.
How long Lord?
How long,
must I stagnate in this reeking edifice?
I must sleep,
sleep,
sleep
"Lord, will you not look upon me again?
Leave me to endure this abandonment."
Sleep will not come,
will not,
will not
"Lord, I pray out
in praise of your compassion"
Out of my distress I call to you
In my hour of need
You have always reached out to me
"OK! Lord, maybe a deal
I go and You call down your wrath"
How long must I endure
this sleeplessness, this Hell!
"Lord,
Lord!"
Why should I go amongst my greatest enemies?
Why Should I go?
Why will you forgive such as these?
But I will go, Lord,
into that miserable place,
be laughed at, they will not change
"I will go, Lord."
Then I will wait
Wait!
Wait!
Wait for you to strike.
"Lord,
Lord!
Do you have ears for me?
What thanksgiving can I give
for the gift of my life?"
Nineveh might be unforgivable
but to you, Lord, I will submit.
Go with resounding praise.
I vow this payment
for my deliverance.

1996/97

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