FAINTING BEFORE MURDERERS
I looked
On the earth
It was waste and void.
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I looked
To the heavens
They had no light.
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I looked
On the mountains
They were quaking.
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I looked
There was no man
All the birds of the air had fled.
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I looked
The fruitful land
Was a desert
All its cities laid in ruins.
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At the noise of horseman and archer
Every city takes to flight
They enter thickets
They climb among rocks
All the cities are forsaken
No man dwells in them.
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And you, O desolate one
What do you mean that you dress in scarlet
That you deck yourself with ornaments of gold
That you enlarge your eyes with paint?
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In vain you beautify yourself
Your lovers despise you
They seek your life.
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For I heard a cry
As of a woman in travail
Anguish as of one
Bringing forth her first child.
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The cry of the daughter of Zion
Gasping for breath
Stretching out her hands
"Woe is me,
I am fainting before murderers!"
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(adapted from the Bible)
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