Grains and grains of golden sand White foam of waves spraying My roots are deep in you, my land, Like the acacia near me swaying. Few weeds: some here there more Scattered by nature's careless hand "A Scotland for the poor" Yet I love you, my land. A desert arid and bare With a special grace and charm My memories you share Of times of joy and times of harm. Tracks of turtle and of snake Tracks of man, child and pet See the pattern that they make Don't destroy that pattern yet! The people simple and sweet Sometimes foolish, always kind. You they'll always be glad to greet The same fate does you bind. Our lives so calmly passed here Like the gentle waves of sea Then, drowned in five years of fear Outward calmness hid the torrent in me. Red tiled roofs how snug you lie Upon walls so very white! Here we live and here some die As to keep you we still fight. Oh seashells pink and fair Oh blossoms gold and round When mortars fall who would dare To lift you from the ground? I hide inside my room Until they say "all clear". Or just ignore the boom Though danger is quite near. And fences all around me; We are caged in like a lion. They say it's for our safety Can this be happening in Zion?! I feel so alone; Arab and Jew hate us. We're to be tossed like a bone With very little fuss. Prayer vigils, blocking streets, Orange streamers, going door to door During sunshine and during sleets How to save us? We aren't sure. Still, a plover in the sky Curiously looks down The Gush seen from high Is like a diamond in a crown! Oh grains and grains of golden sand What is to be my fate? Shall I lose you from my land Shall I lose you from my state? home page previous Shifra's poems |
| Grains of Sand By Shifra Shomron Tammuz 5765 (July 2005) |
| Reproduction in any form without express written authorization by the author is strictly prohibited. You may forward the URL (link), but please do not forward the text itself. |
 |
| Or Yaakov Karni |