An Australian Lament

My heart is over whelmed and my soul deeply burdened.

States of emergency and a beautiful country on fire never to be the same again.

Lives lost to those who love them and houses burnt to the ground leaving ashes and rubble of memories and dreams.

Majestic gum trees and rare orchids gone,

Millions of animals , creatures great and small gone,

All an expression of God’s beauty and mystery gone.

Lord have mercy on us.

This is not the time to blame, play games or hate.

We are in this together to mourn and show compassion.

We are in this together to reach out and care.

We are in this together to dare to hope and look for a better tomorrow.

Lord have mercy on us.