I listened, straining to understand, as the young man struggled through a severe speech impediment to deliver his brief address from the pulpit.  Sitting in my regular church pew, I admired his courage.  Would I have the courage, I wondered, to face a congregation and speak, knowing that I could not speak clearly?  The strength of his conviction carried through even if the words of his message were garbled.  Later, staring at the night ceiling, I imagined him reciting Psalm 23, feeling his vale of sorrow, and taking comfort in his strength, his comforter, his shepherd.  And I imagined the response of the rapt congregation.  Then I wrote Psalm 23 as he may have recited it, not in derision, but out of utmost respect for the strength of his courage and conviction.

VALES AND SHADOWS

Tha Laws ma shepr;
Ishl nawan.
He make me to ladan
in grin pasht:
He led besa sti was.
He sto mso:
He lead me in pa righchne
foris nem sek.
Yeah, though wa valla
shada de
I feena evil:
for Thar wivme;
Tha ra an tha staff
they comfme.
Tha prepa taba fome
in prence ma enmy;
Tha noin ma hea voil;
ma cup runova.
Shu good mercy
fo me all day mlife;
and I dwell nouseof Law
fever.

(loud clappings . . . happy smile . . . weepings)