Lamentation: A Poem

January 14, 2026

In memory of Renee Good* and the dozens of others who have been killed by ICE.

A Poem of Lamentation
after Psalm 13

How long, God of this present time? How long?
Have you turned away from us,
forgotten your children?
How long must we endure the lies,
cruelty, provocations and injustices
inflicted on this country? How long
will the voices of democracy,
of righteousness, of decency
be silenced?
How long must our hearts be wrenched
apart by women murdered, fathers
shackled, children weeping and burning
from pepper spray, our hands
spread in helplessness?
How long will this current Evil devour,
destroy, rejoice and laugh at us?
At you?

Give us an answer! Show us your presence!
Hope fades to grayness, our hearts
grow dim. Give us a sign—
or despair will win,
our ears stuffed with their chants,
“We are greater than God!”
Yes, they will boast of their
greatness even while they destroy
each perfect gift that comes
from above.

Somehow, God of the unknowns,
God of desperation, God of sorrow,
and God of redemption, I will still
look for you—and see you—
your candle fierce against the night,
my hand in yours, and his, and theirs,
the light emblazoned across
their hearts.
The day will come when we will
shout with joy and sing together,
We have overcome because
our God is love.

(c) Rosemary McMahan

*Renee Good was a Presbyterian. Here is a statement on her death by the Presbyterian Church, USA, in which I am an ordained minister: https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/2026/1/12/statement-memory-renee-nicole-good.

Photo credit: Pixabay, Gallila-Photo