The Calling of the Creatures

Come hoof and trunk and tail and horn
and paw and wing and claw;
Come bird and reptile, mammal born
all full of nature’s law.

Bring bark and crow and ribbit, too
and silent stare and hiss;
Bring purr and trill and warble, too
and voice no ear can miss.

We gather here each life and all
to celebrate and sing
to honor creature large and small
’Tis holiness we bring.

A happy border collie sits behind the last wooden pew in a sanctary full of people