Ilankai Tamil Sangam

A Tsunami Psalm

by Chandi Alexander, February 21, 2005

By the rivers of Tsunami

There we sat and wept

When we remembered

We have lost everything

"All had gone" within a few minutes.

But what’s left on the shores is broken humanity.

So, by the rivers of Tsunami

There we sat and wept.

How can we sing the Lord’s song? Why not, I asked?

Can’t you see the body of Christ washed ashore?

Can’t you see Christ in the broken limbs on the bleeding floor?

Can’t you see Christ among the suffering?

Can’t you see the crucified One befriending?

Can’t you see his tears turning red?

Why don’t we sing the Lord’s song?

So, by the rivers of Tsunami

There we sat and wept.

It’ll take a while to erase the trauma and the pain

I yearn to see my loved ones; to hear the endearing voices calling

I long to see my home, standing against the walls of water;

But now…I see the face of compassion on a broken ManIn pain he whispers "I thirst".

Within the pangs he utters "I hunger"

I reply and wonder "What’s your Name?""Don’t you know?" He asks,"I drowned with you," he assures me.

"But I - both died and survived."

So, by the rivers of Tsunami

There we sat and wept.

We lit a candle. And the sea breeze soothed our wounded skin.

We smiled… we hugged …we broke the silence…and laughed and cried.

My God! We remembered; we haven’t lost our sense of humour:

We both died and survived.

We cupped our palms and drank the air; we chewed our pain and kissed the air.

So, by the rivers of Tsunami

There we sat and wept….

(written for Lent)

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Posted February 26, 2005