Dear Israel

Dear Israel

Oh Israel

You stormed my heart with battalions

The birds of your canyons

The cats of your streets

The trees of your mountains 

Soldier after soldier brought me to you.

Oh Israel

Your call louder than I can hear

I did not think I was for you 

I did not think you would love me

I did not expect to fall into you

Strength and beauty delivered me to you.

Oh Israel 

My heart is full of your sunshine

Cloudless skies of the desert

Sunrise after sunrise 

From peaks to valleys and back

Golden rays draw me to you.

Oh Israel 

Your marching pride holds me captive

Smiling faces of new old friends

Passionate cries of history's idols

In cities and in ruins

The hope leads me to you.

Oh Israel

You catch my hand so swiftly

As more of us come home

As more of us belong

As more of us feel love

Your spirit holds me to you.

Oh Israel

You whisper war stories in my ears

A unique land 

A complex land

My homeland

Ghosts and living call me to you.

Oh Israel

Where I am home

My heart is rent as I fly away

I am scattered across continents and oceans 

I am missing something without you

Oh Israel, I am yours always.

Oh Israel,

My Israel,

Take me home again.

--1.14.16