Promises

Sunset on the mountain
Photo: Yehuda HaKohen

Come to her in peace, and she will meet you with peace
the trees will drip honey
and fresh olive oil flowing
as the streams of her hills

but come in war
and those same trees will draw swords
bleeding as they do
and those hills with bristle with arrows
falling like the rain

come with love, and you will be met with wine
our hearths will greet you
with hot bread and laughter
and the twinkling smiles of children
as beautiful as the stars

come in hatred,
and you will be just another story
passed down through our generations
another fool cast down to the mud
another tale to crown our tables

Understand this,
and only this

come as you are
my dear friends
you can take our lives,
but you cannot take our home

More from Yonah ben-Avraham
When the Market Stood Still
Hands at the side, raised to the forehead clenched in a fist...
Read More