poetry

Prayer
by Francisco Arcellana

                    CLOSE all open things, Lord.
                    Open all closed things.

All those who have long received, let them give.
All those who have long given, let them receive.
All those too long apart, let them come together.
All those too long together, sunder them.

                    Let the wise be fools for once, Lord,
                    And let the fools speak their minds.
                              Affirm the long-denied, Lord.
                              Fulfill the unfulfilled.

1939: The Philippine Collegian, Vol. 21, 4 April 28.

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