Praise the roads of dirt & drowning
Winding through the marrow’s prayer
Praise the earth that drinks our hunger
Praise the sea that drowns despair

Praise the eater, the mouth of heaven
And the eaten, bone & bread
Praise the lamb & praise the slaughter
Praise the silence of the dead

Praise the light, pale & trembling
Cracked upon the altar’s spine
Praise the last breath, holy ending
Wreathed in ash, blood & time

Praise the hymn & praise the mouth
That opens wide to let it through
Praise the sainted, starving choir
And the pews of blackened pew

Praise the rain; it births more rain
Baptism’s flood, grief’s slow refrain
Praise the rain; it brings more rain
And leaves behind a crimson stain