A Very Bright Moon
The beauty you display
I cannot even conceive
how to tell in words of day
so as to be believed,
but night makes magic real
with its shadows and its swoons,
and wine and the things we feel
give meaning to the moon
and charge my words with sense;
and though the day-words lie,
truth finds recompense
in a smile and a sigh.
Pluvial
Leaves glisten;
starbright raindrops,
thoughtlike, fall.
Psalm 65
All praise to you, Zion's God,
to you the vows fulfilled,
O you answerer of prayer!
To you all flesh will come.
When iniquity's deeds conquered,
you forgave our trespasses;
blessed are your elect, those drawn near,
those dwelling in your courts:
they find satisfaction in your temple,
in your holy dwelling.
You answer us with your deliverance,
salvific God, great in act;
you are the hope of the earth's borders,
of seas beyond seas,
strong establisher of mountains,
girded around with might.
You still storms that roar on the seas,
the thundering waves,
the tumult and shout of nations.
Awed by your great signs,
the fardwellers marvel at your graces,
the gates of the morning,
the portals of night, shout for joy.
Coming, you water lands,
you make them all fertile and rich;
God's river overflows.
You give the grain, prepared for all,
you rain on the furrows,
settling and wetting ridges,
softening the dry ground,
giving blessing to its growth.
With life you crown the year,
all your traces abound with bounty.
Wild pastures burst,
the hills dress themselves with golden glory,
the meadows with fine flocks,
the valleys are decked with rich grain:
they all sing for joy.
