Oh, God

by Lisa Baydush © 2002

I always thought that God was a king

with a long white beard on a throne,

And when I prayed, I looked to the clouds,

seeking the unknown

Oh, God, can you hear me?

Do you hear that I’ve learned the Shema?

Oh, God, can you see me,

sitting here in our synagogue?

As I matured to the great age of ten,

my thoughts about God had honed

No longer a king on a throne in the sky,

but a Rabbi in long black robes.

Oh, God, can you hear me? 

Do you hear when I’m calling your name?

Oh, God, can you see me? 

Do you feel all our joys and our pain?

I started to feel that your presence was near

when I walked through the woods in the spring

White clouds in blue skies, a warm breeze in my hair,

I felt moved to sing.

Oh, God, can you hear me? 

Do you heed all the prayers that I send?

Oh, God, can you see me? 

Can you help me to make amends?

I’ve come to see as my quest has evolved

that God is inside us all

And when I pray I look in my heart,

seeking strength for my soul

I am transformed and now I can see

Oh, God…  I can hear you… now