Love Letters to an Octopus

Psalm 39

 ¹ I said, "I will watch my ways
       and keep my tongue from sin;
       I will put a muzzle on my mouth
       as long as the wicked are in my presence."  ² But when I was silent and still,
       not even saying anything good,
       my anguish increased.
 ³ My heart grew hot within me,
       and as I meditated, the fire burned;
       then I spoke with my tongue:
 ⁴ "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
       and the number of my days;
       let me know how fleeting is my life.
 ⁵ You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
       the span of my years is as nothing before you.
       Each man's life is but a breath.