Where is David? . . . O God’s people,
Saul has passed, the good and great.
Mourn for Saul the first-anointed –
Head and shoulders o’er the state.
He was found among the Prophets:
Judge and monarch, merged in one.
But the wars of Saul are ended
And the works of Saul are done.
Where is David, ruddy shepherd,
God’s boy-king for Israel?
Mystic, ardent, dowered with beauty,
Singing where still waters dwell?
Prophet, find that destined minstrel
Wandering on the range to-day,
Driving sheep and crooning softly
Psalms that cannot pass away.
“David waits,” the prophet answers,
“In a black notorious den,
In a cave upon the border
With four hundred outlaw men.
“He is fair, and loved of women,
Mighty-hearted, born to sing:
Thieving, weeping, erring, praying,
Radiant royal rebel-king.
“He will come with harp and psaltry,
Quell his troop of convict swine,
Quell his mad-dog roaring rascals,
Witching them with words divine –
“They will ram the walls of Zion!
They will win us Salem hill,
All for David, Shepherd David –
Singing like a mountain rill!”
(Vachel Lindsay)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, God Poems, War & Peace Poems, Fairness Poems, Beauty Poems, Woman Poems, Prayers Poems, Work & Career Poems, People Poems, Law & Regulation Poems, Singing PoemsBased on Keywords: rill, swine, erring, ram, outlaw, rascals, salem, thieving, dowered, convict, notorious