I rewrote the 23rd Psalm for my Fathers wake in

June 2004. He did not believe in God. He lived a good and noble life.

All his life, he served others. He lived his heart and his heart was good.

For him, the belief in God was an irrelevant issue.

What mattered to him was what people did.

This poem is a celebration of a

life well lived and of how my Father lived his own.

The 23rd Psalm (rewritten)

All of my life I have not wanted

For I have lain down in green pastures

I have walked beside rivers and still waters

I have been blessed all of my days

I have walked on the path of righteousness

Though I journeyed throughout the world

I have feared no harm

In all of my actions I have practiced virtue

and graciousness has been with me

Kindness has been my rod and staff

Even in front of my enemies

I have been well-intentioned

And my care has overflowed and touched others

Surely goodness and mercy has followed me

in all the days of my life

It seems to me I shall abide this way

Forever

Click here to 'see' the VIDEO with this POEM put to music on the "Video" page: 23rd Psalm