WALLS, Walls, walls

WALLS, Walls, walls

Once there were walls of Jericho

They tumbled, we are told.

Now the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem,

An ancient relic of the Temple Mount

Is a holy place to pray, sing, dance, and celebrate.

Long ago stood the Temple, built and destroyed twice,

Around the rock where Abraham

Brought his son to sacrifice.

The cracks in the Wall hold innumerable prayers

Of people world over

Except of those on the other side of the Wall.

Where stands in all its splendor

The Dome of the Rock

Shining in its golden glory, visible miles around,

Where Muhammad ascended into high heaven

To greet God and His holy messengers.

Today there are new walls, 10' high, 400 miles long

Searing the hearts, homes, lives   

Of people in this Holy Land

Walls of Peace and protection, the rulers name them.

Others call them Walls of apartheid

Of illegal occupation.

My heart thumps: How can victim race

Of the Holocaust

Become the creator of walls of hate

In the land they come to share?

   

Will these new walls of hatred ever tumble

Like Walls of Jericho?

"Walls make good neighbors," a poet once said.

Do they? Tears in my eyes wonder...