It was a slow sunset over Palestine.
Descent of fire and rising of shadows.
Red as red. The Orange. Floating riveting calm fiery expansive
Orange keeps away evil spirits…for a little while
It will melt away into magenta grey blue black and stars and moonlight
Why can we stare at the sun when it seems so close and big?
What tames our fire at dusk?
Why is it that only before the darkness we can look directly in to the source?
I’d rather ponder the metaphors than know the science
Villages appear as light pinholes poked into the mystery
One now two now many.
West the light muted color show rapidly and slowly evolves into extinction
Olive Green hills on the North fading
Brown rocky wisdom spikes to the South soften
Maybe seven layers of slope converge
The beauty of ruggedness deepens at dusk.
And this land is rugged
As are her people rugged and deep
This western valley as viewed from this Eastern crest
Is the most perfect canvas for this daily world wide display
That brings perfection of solitude
Yes. The beauty of ruggedness deepens at dusk.
I close my eyes to better attenuate to the wind’s touch and song.
The gift Blindness brings. Is understood.
But even a blind person need open their heart and mind.
And look.
Friends that brought me hear are but a breath away
Also alone, silently gazing, feeling, being full, and being together.
They come every day and I know why.
Each of them has been beaten, or tortured, jailed, or seen ugly death.
Once, twice, or many
Unexpectedly, unnecessarily, innocent yet accused
Tear gassed. Shot. Crumbled. And gotten back up.
They come here. To this hilltop. This vantage. This stillness.
This timelessness. This totality in a whisper.
For a few minutes the entirety of life is lived.
For a few minutes every sense is grateful for this life.
For a few minutes our solitude is our greatest solace and companion.
For a few minutes our joy surpasses our grief.
For a few minutes we see the wonder and awe of God unscathed.
We know we are all chosen.
For a few minutes we believe and live in peace.
For a few minutes.