The Songs 12 · For the assembly to say aloud together
This book has no author and should have none. It is made for the voice: read it aloud, and best of all aloud together. This book does not pray. There is no one in this scripture to pray to — what is believed in is law, and law takes no prayers (cf. The Prologue 1.7). But not praying is not the same as not thanking, not praising, not standing amazed. This book records only those three. Whoever uses it to petition any person whatever has put it to the wrong use. Each of the six songs has a last line, and the last line is to be said by everyone together.The twelve songs of this book fall into two halves. The first six are thanks, praise and amazement; they are not for any particular occasion and are said by the assembly together. Each of the last six hangs on one of the six axioms and is made for a particular day: the day you cannot see yourself; the day two people tell the same hour differently; the day you gave something up; the day someone left; the day you grieved for what you could not reach; the day you knew it was the last time. Take whichever song matches the day. These may be said alone.
12.1There are many things I did for the last time without knowing it was the last time.
12.2The last time I lifted a child — the last time I still could.
12.3The last time I spoke with a friend, and after that we never spoke again.
12.4The last time I walked down that street, not yet knowing I would be moving away.
12.5All of it is past. Not one of them left with a bell rung.
12.6The scripture says: all things can be undone but the scattering. (cf. The Highest Covenant 6.1)
12.7Time is not a river. It is the direction of the scattering. (cf. The Highest Covenant 6.2)
12.8I cannot stop the scattering. Nobody can.
12.9Whatever I grip will scatter in the end. (cf. The Highest Covenant 6.3)
12.10So today I change one thing. I stop asking whether I am going to lose this.
12.11I ask instead: this thing in my hand right now — have I seen it clearly?
12.12Because sooner or later it must be let go; and whether I saw it clearly before letting go is mine to decide.
12.13Persuading can wait. A wound cannot be taken back. (cf. The Highest Covenant 6.5)
12.14That line I will run through once tonight before I open my mouth.
12.15I do not ask to have it back. I ask only to scatter well.
12.16We do not ask to be heard. We say it because we mean to remember.