Thursday, May 22, 2008

The Good King (a cento, "stretch-villanelle" from Psalms 72)

May you be blessed with the gift of his light;
He always answers the poor when they cry;
How precious is their blood in his sight.

Those who trust in him will never die;
He created the stars, the sun, and the sky;
May you be blessed with the gift of his light.

He will rule the earth for sea to sea;
He will save the children of the needy;
How precious is their blood in his sight.

He will endure longer than the sun;
He will gather to him, all generations;
May you be blessed with the gift of his light.

Enrich the king with acts of justice,
The royal son with your righteousness;
May you be blessed with the gift of his light;
How precious is their blood in his sight.

His shalom flows on, like a great river into the sea;
He will bless his people for time, and for all eternity;
How precious is their blood in his sight;
May you be blessed with the gift of his light.

The fig shall ripen upon the tree,
And the fruit flourish on the vine;
May you be blessed with the gift of his light;
How precious in their blood in his sight.

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