SNOW IN JERUSALEM
(January 30, 2008)*

Snow comes as rarely as peace
to this place of golden stone.
Time’s ruinous tides coming
now in waves, now in tsunamis,
have made the layers of history
thick, intermingled, confusing
in buildings and peoples alike.
One more white layer on top
and the city shuts down from the weight.
For one icy, fast-melting day
the fences, the walls, the creeds
are buried even on the front pages.
In every falling flurry
the One encrypts His name.
What shall be done with that knowledge
tomorrow?

* Based on an idea suggested by Lunesta

יוחנן רכב

Copyright © 2008 by John Wheeler (Johanan Rakkav)