“If I am I because you are you, and you are you because I am I, then I am not I and you are not you. But if I am I because I am I, and you are you because you are you, then I am I and you are you.” – Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk
I stood atop a large stone near Cheyenne, Wyoming, threw seventy-one words into the air. They in turn broke into syllables, light strands born from phonetic care. The Northwest wind found its way from Horse Creek, from its bed on rye grass there, and it picked up the sound of my faltering tongue and helped it climb to heavens stairs. Beneath the arch of a streaked Cirrostratus, I saw the opening of a womb, and even though my eyes were closed on earth, I knew the birth of something would happen soon. Something caused me to quietly stutter, let the seventy-second verb commit, to fly its way onward toward the belly of the skyway to the ledges where angels sit. It was the dawning of a new day dawned, when a secret was paid on rent.
For in the terror of this mind of a boy inside a man, was an image of the prayer of host to sail on the seven winds. And the words they came in brokenness, the sounds from my dry, dry soul, in the sounds of a thousand nights gone by, when I thought myself not whole. With the chanting of all darkness-committed saying unto you, can you see he’s about to fold. It must have looked like danger for something sinister to abound, to see a ragged man of fifty-seven letting loose his vocal sounds. To stand upon the rock of that not known and leave his ego on the ground. To utter something in another tongue to let a craft come unbound. To reach inside the vale of my heart and cut the chords of the seventy-second found.
I stood atop a large stone near Cheyenne, Wyoming, and prayed in verbs without a noun. Prayed for your lonely shadows, that they would connect your mind somehow. Voiced my words for trouble consternation where the evil ebb does flow. I whirled the names into the air, with an unconscious cry, with the atoms of creation lining up by myside. I prayed for my family, a world that I do not know, and the when I stared into the womb of heaven my inward eyes did glow. For falling fast with angels, like lightning before the rain, came the kindness of the ancient one, in the ancient of its days. An energy unto itself with the universe at its display.
And it turned the seventy-second word the name of its command, burned itself into my soul from where the water from its hand ran. Came a knowledge that though I was dead in resurrection here I AM, came a small voice from deep inside me whispering from dusk to resurrection here I AM. – 04.23.2018 – דָּנִיֵּאל
Daniel, my brother, what you have captured here leaves me speechless, wanting only to stand mute on that rock as you chant the verbs that split the sky and call down the Grace of Adonai. jen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jen, for your wonderful comment. Your silence or voice would always be most welcome! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This prose leaves me absolutely breathless with it’s raw emotion. It is a beautiful Psalm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Karen, I am happy you liked it, and I very much appreciate your kind compliment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your welcome, and every word was well meant! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hashem , the Ancient of Days, this is masterful in it’s praise. Thank you Daniel! ❤
LikeLike
Hi Ariel, Thank you for your comment, and kind words. I am happy you enjoyed this piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am still going over a few words in my mind, and although your very welcome, it is I who still thank you. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Daniel your words are amazing, this will be within my heart throughout the day thinking of each wonderful verb of praise. It offers my spirit so much. ❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lauren. I hope your day was then blessed. I very much appreciate your kind comment.
LikeLike
“And it turned the seventy-second word the name of its command, burned itself into my soul from where the water from its hand ran. ” Every word is amazing, there is so much I want to say about this piece but right now I’m speechless! More later perhaps! 😉 ❤ Ruby
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ruby, and anytime you want to write more feel free. I would love to read it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words, that you bestow upon me so often. I am humbled and grateful my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dearest Daniel, I am here to write more now. It took me several readings and listening to “The Serenity Prayer” song to get it. I hope I am not being presumptuous here, but I can’t help but feel this truly is you in this post. You are an amazing man, loved by your GD. ❤ Ruby
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very sweet Ruby, and much more than I deserve, but thank you. “red faced emoji”
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL ❤ 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Daniel I read this wonderful piece and I think time stood still. It is truly a work of art and prayer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jane, for your wonderful comment. I am most grateful for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your welcome. 🙂
LikeLike
Like most who will read this amazing writing I am speechless Daniel. The energy and yet humility that each word possesses, deserves and has my every affection and respect. ❤ Shalom, Heather
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Heather
So often in this forum you honor me with your kind words of praise and I am very grateful for them. Really not sure I deserve them but will take them anyway. 😉 So this was a favorite of mine, you asked me one time to tell you when that day came and it is here. Do with it what you will. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Daniel, I think I knew this, not to give myself too much credit, but each word each name of Hashem was you. Shalom, Heather
LikeLiked by 1 person
Daniel, I have to add my praise in here although it is similar to what I have already read in your comments section. I read this wonderful piece of prose and felt as if I was standing there with you on the first day of a new creation. Well done! Well done good sir!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you my dear friend Wang, you are most certainly welcome to be here on this first day and the second as well. Seriously I do appreciate your following my work and commenting on it. I am very fortunate to have you do so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Daniel, I would enjoy at some point having an in depth conversation with you on those days of creation and your thoughts on them. 😉
LikeLike
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jamie! 🙂
LikeLike
Daniel this is masterful with its rich rhyming words and depth of spiritual meaning. As so much of your writing, it displays like a Psalm of David a cry and then a praise before your creator, who has enriched you with a talent that amazes me. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lynette, Thank you for your words of praise, I am most humbled by them. As we have discussed before, David and his interior mystic is a study of mystery that we both share. I am grateful to have someone share this interest with me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Daniel, I am as well, the Psalms hold so much in the way of mystery. I enjoy your commentary and prose creating new Psalms based on the mystery of the ancient Psalms.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lynette! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Daniel,
my brother, the Seventy-Second is full of the blessings of Hashem. It is linked in a special way to the wonderful relationship you enjoy with the “Ancient of Days”. I am proud to call you brother and friend, and I very much am blessed by what you have written here. Shalom, Den
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Dennis, thank you for your most encouraging words. I am always overwhelmed to think anything I write would bring a blessing, but I am happy that it does. Thank you brother. Shalom, Daniel
LikeLiked by 1 person
The power of words can be both deceptive and encouraging, and I am surprised and often underestimate how effective they are. Your words my brother hold their strength in compassion and encouragement for me. Shalom Den
LikeLike
Daniel, this is amazing, each word appears exactly as a personal prayer that means so much as I read it. I know we are of different faiths but still there appears a commonality in this verse that I or anyone no matter their faith can take hold of, identify and make it a part of their relationship with something greater, and with each other. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Raquel, I love your comment. Personally I believe that a cry is a cry is a cry, and it is recognized by one somewhere, many paths get us there, but in the end the cry and the answer are the same. Thank you for recognizing it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, I think to much divisiveness is caused by the unhappiness of those who interfere with a single search of faith, trying to convince that the search is wrong.
LikeLike
My young friend, I have been moved to tears by your heartfelt words, and as so many have said I can say little, for these ancient holy words leave me speechless. Thank you. In admiration, Bill
LikeLike
Hi Bill, Thank you my friend. I am touched by your kind words. It makes me so happy you find something worthwhile in what I have written. Have a wonderful weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Daniel, I am in the habit of getting something out of everything you write that blesses me!
LikeLike
The Seventy-Second is stunning writing Daniel, it gave me chills as I read through it.
LikeLike
Thank you Blaire, I am thrilled you liked this. Have a great weekend.
LikeLike
An amazing piece you have delivered here Mr. Swearingen. I have dug through it now several times, and am blown away by the phrasing, and the meaning behind or in this case beyond the words. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Mr. Bartholamez, very formal between you and I these days. 😉 Of course this would be proper for gentlemen of our stature. In seriousness I do appreciate your kind compliment. Have a great weekend my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anytime my friend and next go we will wear ties! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah man, I like it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
ZZ Top playing in the background! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sharp dressed man, oh man does that bring a memory or two! :0
LikeLiked by 1 person
It appears to me Mr. Swearingen with your writing abilities and my promotional skills we will be on to something great soon! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is lovely Daniel, I am struck by the descriptive wording. You are very good at your craft.
LikeLike
Hi Ginger, Thank you for your compliment. I usually write feeling through visual if that makes any sense. I am happy you like the style.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Daniel it makes sense to me and looking back over all your marvelous verse it makes it stand out and mean even more I believe. Thank you for sharing that with me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adore the quote by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, and “The Serenity Prayer” song is beautiful, but your prose is the icing on the cake, it is wonderful! ❤
LikeLike
Thank you Danika, the quote by Rabbi Mendel really struck me as one of the deepest things I have ever read, still thinking about it actually. Thank you for your comment.
LikeLike
I have to join the crowd in expressing how much I enjoy this post Daniel. Your depth in writing is amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much Carmel, I am happy you liked this piece. Have a great weekend.
LikeLike
“For falling fast with angels, like lightning before the rain, came the kindness of the ancient one, in the ancient of its days. ” ❤ this phrase!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Deb, Thank you for your kind compliment. The kindness or compassion of the ancient one is my favorite part too. Life would not be worth much without it. 😉 Have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true Daniel, you have a great weekend as well. ❤
LikeLike
🙂 ❤
LikeLike
Thank you Diana, have a great weekend.
LikeLike
Daniel,
I just finished lunch with y Rabbi and during the course of lunch read her your post. We followed the reading up with a wonderful discussion on prayer. Your writing brings so much to so many people, I hope you know that. Thank you. ❤ 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lisa, Thank you for sharing that with me, it means a lot. It is something I really want for my words, but can’t take credit for the inspiration, it is beyond me. 😉 Shabbat Shalom my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And that is why you are meant to write. 😉 ❤
LikeLike
This is beautiful! You are a gifted writer. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Albina, for your compliment, I am humbled by it. Wishing you a great weekend.
LikeLike
❤ צֽוֹן־יְרֵאָ֥יו יַֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה וְאֶת־שַׁוְעָ֘תָ֥ם יִ֜שְׁמַ֗ע וְיֽוֹשִׁיעֵֽם ❤
LikeLike
Hi Erin, Thank you from Psalms 19 I think if my google translator is right. 😉 I have a ways to go on my Hebrew studies, (Like getting started). I appreciate the comment. Shabbat Shalom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes you are correct. 🙂 Shavua Tov Daniel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shavua tov Erin.
LikeLike
There was nothing soft nor gentle about this prayer Daniel, it was filled with sincere need, and the type of cry respected the most by that light which we seek. I doubt mine were the only eyes that were not kept dry as I identified with this lovely piece of prose. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Abigail, I appreciate your insight, and agree with it. We seek the compassion together then along with others, as my friend above Jen so succinctly put it, “we call down Grace of Adonai”. Have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will be happy to be there Daniel, thank you for the invite. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I rarely consider myself prone to prayer, but your words might have me on my way mate. This was well written! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Shaun, That would be alright I’m thinking if your on your way. Mission accomplished. 😉 Have a great weekend mate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Daniel, this is a remarkable piece. Your words are so vivid that they’ve brought the seven winds to life. There are so many layers within your writing, and multiple interpretations. Fascinating, here again is the idea of resurrection. Wishing you well. ~ Mia
LikeLike
Dear Mia, Thank you for your wonderful comment. I agree about the idea of resurrection being involved here. I think somewhere here is a thought of Moses asking Hashem to part the Red Sea and the reply back to Moses you do it, that’s why I gave you that wonderful staff filled with craft. This is my humble attempt to raise that staff. 😉 Shabbat Shalom, Daniel
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome, Daniel. I think you did a lovely job of raising the staff. Shavua tov, Mia
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shavua tov Mia.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s one for you, how often do you hear this? “Ah gutten Shabbos!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really not too often however it’s a little bit more related to parting isn’t it? I think I heard it one time directed toward me when I had overstayed my welcome. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is, how funny! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is deep. I need to read it again ! Very interesting.
LikeLike
Hi Yassy, Thank you for reading and your comment. If you get the chance or have the time, let me know what you think? I am still trying to dig the meaning out myself. 😉 Have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adore the opening quote. It makes me think of old rock songs, and defiance of being part of a herd of sheep. I get to be me! Well, I suppose I sound like a Lady from Whitby.
I struggled, in part, to understand the meaning of 72. That 71 was flung askrew & came out 72 makes sense, but I’m missing something here.
Anyway, Whitby awaits me. A party tonight?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol thank you my friend your just looking for 72 like I was in this worldly puzzle. The whole prayer spell, what not is based on the 72 names of G_D. We will talk further about it at the Whitby party someday. For now venture into the night my friend and swill hot gin. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Into the night,to await some day! 🍷
LikeLiked by 1 person
I live vicariously through your grand adventures. 🌌🌉
LikeLike
Hahaha Typ-O – askew ….LOL! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person