The King's Gift

poem in Dactyl rhythm (long-short-short)

by Ruth Salles

Dactyl: ___vv (long-short-short). It acts by reinforcing consonants in speech; high-pitched speech benefits from this rhythm. It helps concentration and awakens to the understanding of the text. It strengthens the experience of speech itself.

THE KING'S GIFT

O diglawro do Kingdon't charmOKof
camethe workZenof the mensagem of King:
“From a forest that is in the kingdom,
hardwood be cut.”

“But why?” everyone asked,
“Will the king want this wood?”
And in his castle the king waited,
for a work of art to make.

“It is for the throne of your queen,
to the crib of the unborn child?
It's for your grandmother's spinning wheel,
for the rugs you must weave?”

“No, no, no,” said the king to his people.
“I want to make a gift to the pastor,
give you a stronger, newer staff,
for the flock to guide with love.

When he saved a wounded lamb
who was attacked by a ravenous wolf,
the shepherd had his staff broken.
And today your king gives you a gift.”

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