I planted a pomegranate tree by the Jordan river
Where the willows waved in the wind
And the Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bowed her feathered head in grace and gratitude
I scooped the salty earth with my fingers
Cradled the cool river water with my dirt creased palms
And saw Joshua peek through the reeds and smile
I floated upstream to the Hermon mountains
Cloaked in diamonds
She shone bright like Mikhmoret Light
An eye of the nation
She stood plucky and proud
I left my footprints on her crystalline snow
I drank rich Turkish coffee
With a weathered fisherman in Haifa
My legs dangled over the docks
We played sheshbet, ate smoked salmon
With fresh garlic and dill
We inhaled the salty sea air into our lungs
Lost in thoughts both old and new
While the waves crashed hello into the rocky surround
I ran with a long limbed gazelle
Down south
To the cavernous craters of Mitzpe
Watched the landscape peel
From lush and green
To soft suede mountains
Streaked orange and tan
We drank from the crystal waterfall
That sprung out from glassy rocks
And dipped hot pitot in sumac and oil
We ate with a Druze family who welcomed us like their own
Sitting cross legged on an amethyst dyed rug
We sang the Song of Hope
I painted a sunset with a Kalanit flower
Dipped her poppy petals in milk and honey
And swathed the sky with her splendor
She kissed the clouds with brilliant shades of scarlet and crimson wine
I drank in her beauty from a golden goblet
I climbed an ancient olive tree in Jerusalem
And plucked the tart fruit from their leafy veils
Tossed them high into the velvet heavens above
Until 6 million stars
Twinkled and shone
Illuminating the caramel stones below her
I danced barefoot
In the Ben Shemen forest
Wove a tapestry of pine and cyclamen
I fashioned a crown from ivy and sage
Lay on a carpet of sweet moss
And when the wind carried David’s song through the fig trees to the new moon
I was cradled in her lullaby
I walked the steps of Abraham and Sarah
They showed me God high up in the sun, moon and stars
And also down below over all the blues and greens and golds
Where His pulse beats and drums
And His magic runs through veins
I gave pieces of my heart
To lone warriors
Each time my heart grew back doubled and stronger
I sprouted wings like a dove
And flew
High above the gilded landscape
Feeling free and fierce
I soared
Always coming back Home
Esti Rosen Snukal made aliyah in 2012 from Teaneck. She is an advocate for Lone Soldiers and a contributor to the Jewish Link documenting life in Israel. Esti can be reached at [email protected]. Follow Esti on instagram @esti1818 and on Facebook.
