I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Anne Donze Gerber’s rewrites of Psalms 122 and 23 she created during the Earth Monastery retreat*.
During The Earth Monastery Retreat in the Spring of 2026, I began to realize how attached I was to the trees in my yard, most especially to the huge old oak tree in my backyard. It’s full of birds and songs and squirrels and chipmunks. But what I most appreciate about the tree is the sound of the wind as it moves through the branches. When asked to do a rewrite of Psalm 122, I wrote St. Oak.
St. Oak
I give thanks to thee O Creator
For where Thou hast placed me
I stand here in the same spot
Day after day
Year after year
Observing my world
Thou hast blessed me
With so much to see
I watch the cardinals, nuthatches and chickadees
And I feel like I can fly
The squirrels scurry up my trunk
And I feel like I am running with them
The sun paints glorious pictures
Through my branches
And the moon comforts me
At night
The wind sings me a different song
Each day
The seasons change
And I am here
For it all
I give thanks to thee O Creator
For where Thou hast placed me
I stand here in the same spot
Day after day
Year after year
In love with my world
I rewrote the Psalm 23 based on the myriad of ways that God had surprised me, especially in the second half of life.
The Lord is my Surprise Party
The Lord is my surprise party
He takes my breath away
With each unique sunrise
He thrills me with the colorful birds
At the bird feeder
He sings me a song through the pine trees
When I least expect it
He blocks the traditional path
Then blows me away
When my life takes a new
And exciting direction
When I think I know what I need
He finds me the opposite
Against all odds
He opens doors
That I never expected to walk through
He enriches my life
In ways I didn't anticipate
Surely
More breathtaking moments
And amazing things
Lie ahead of me
The Lord shall surprise me
My whole life long
*The Earth Monastery retreat is available as a self-study retreat.
Anne Donze Gerber is a flutist, collage artist, poet, paper doll artist, and retired Kindergarten teacher. Her artwork has been featured in DOLLS magazine, Doll Castle News, and Good Folk Magazine. She also enjoys photography and birdwatching. Anne lives with her husband, Mitch, in Southeast Missouri.
