Living Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
Living Psalms Book
Psalms in the form of words and art, reborn in the specific contexts of our world, privileging the voices of historically marginalized communities and those acting in solidarity with them.
Living Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 for April 19_ Maldonado
Un caracol
En un caracol
de la sala de un médico
sobre cinco revistas
de farándula y modas
se escucha aún
el océano todo
las orillas
las arenas
las gentes veraneantes
los pasos de las iguanas
sobre las hojas secas
mi voz suplicante
cuando enreda la muerte
la congoja de los enfermos
y la aflicción de los ahogados
el oído de Dios
en una sala médica
toda magnitud es monstruosa
basta la ternura de un caracol
quieto sobre las revistas
el temor que conocen las piedras.
One seashell
In a seashell
in a doctor’s waiting room
on top of five magazines
of gossip and fashion
the whole ocean
can still be heard—
the shores,
the sands,
the summer people,
the iguanas’ footsteps
over dry leaves,
my pleading voice
when death entangles it,
the anguish of the sick
and the affliction of the drowned,
the ear of God
in a medical room.
All magnitude is monstrous;
the tenderness of a single shell
resting on the magazines
is enough
to know the fear that stones have learned.
Living Psalm 116:1-4. 12-19 was written by Alec Maldonado.
Living Psalms Book is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group, a Network of UCC connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community. Maren Tirabassi, editor
Logo is detail from Living Psalm 80 by Sophia Beardemphl, Redwoods, CA. Recovering from significant bullying, Sophia, age nine, read Psalm 80 and thought of brokenness that needs mending. She drew this broken and mended bowl.
© Copyright 2026 Alec Maldonado Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.
