Let Poets Be Our Theologians Now

Some of the most creative reimagining of God today is being done by poets, singers wrestling with God, wresting a blessing for our time from words and images.  Like this stanza, Number 20, from Yehuda  Amichai’s poem “Gods Change, Prayers Are Here to Stay,” in Open, Closed, Open,  46:

The sounds of a drawer closing—the voice of God,
the sound of a drawer opening—the voice of love,
but it could also be the other way around.
Footsteps approaching—the voice of love,
footsteps retreating—the voice of God
who left the country without notice, temporarily forever.
A book that stays open on the table beside a pair of glasses--
God. A closed book and a lamp that stays lit--
love. A key turning in the door without a sound--
God.  A key hesitating—love and hope.
But it could also be the other way around.
A sacrifice of a fragrant scent to God,
a sacrifice of the other senses to love:
a sacrifice of touch and caress, of sight and of sound,
a sacrifice of taste.
But it could also be the other way around.