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| Wanted Poster in Sochi, Russia |
Whose face shines on the just and the cruel,
Through peoples of all races, all dispositions, all faiths:
Breathe solace and peace into the hearts of your people,
This night, as they sleep, as they rest,
Wherever they rest: in caves, in family homes,
In shelters cold and drafty, or embassies large.
Breathe solace and peace into the hearts of Syrians,
Before they wake to fear another day.
Breathe solace and peace into the hearts of angry militants,
Before they wake to plan new crimes.
Breathe solace and peace into the hearts of negotiators,
Before they wake to work out details of fragile pacts.
Where hungry children finally sleep,
Bring to them the deep wonder of darkness and rest.
Where jealous moguls slumber in comfort,
Sow a dream-seed of repentance and generosity.
Where the dried out soils of drought-lands rest,
Gather in a fog bank, some moisture, anything to help.
May all earth's children rest in your gift, your peace,
Your rhythmic rising, falling, rising again, falling again
Of the breath and the body and sweet grace itself.
May all rise again with the light to turn
Fears at last into bold initiatives of reconciliation,
To turn angry schemes into prayerful gestures of love.
Amen.
