XXIII
BULL

White bull with face like a crescent moon,
pure bull without blemish who has now           Leviticus 4:2.
descended from the cross to the yoke,
pouring your blood over our earth
which is the altar of your Father’s temple;
sacrificial calf, leader           Leviticus 16:6.
of the herd, both priest
and resigned victim;           Hebrews 7:27.
you who ruminate on our sorrows
and with cloven feet plough the valleys           Leviticus 11:3-4.
whose greenness is watered by our tears,
of you can we eat, since your flesh is pure.
You, calf whose flesh is nourished
by the harvest over which the children
of Adam have toiled, by burning           Exodus 32:4, 20.
the golden calf in your fire, you reduce it
to dust, which you pour into the water
you give us to drink, and thus
you obtain for us your father’s pardon!