http://dversepoets.com/
The ancient city knows my name.
Once this land was home.
I laid at her feet,
touched her,
listened to her heartbeat from the ground.
When I was small I hopscotched under her glorious beauty
while she winked at me.
That was long ago,
I return to heartbreak.
I skip through Jerusalem ,
her eyes dark and tender as they follow me.
I search through her curves
to find his church,
nestled away, standing humble.
I enter the gates,
embraced by the sound of chanting,
rising through locked doors.
The doors open and I walk in
slowly feeling the spirit as the sunlight
enters through the vaulted dome.
My hearts skips a beat,
wishing my love was here,
to taste this moment.
The smell of incense
floating in the air,
awakens my senses,
as I sit in silence,
breathing it in for him,
breathing it in for me.
This is a reflection of my trip to Jerusalem. I went to Israel to bury my mom in 2009 and I took a day trip to Jerusalem and searched for the Armenian church which is in the old city and dates back to AD 420. My husband was a choir boy and he knows the present Patriarch, Archbishop Torkom Manoogian. I felt a sense of wonder sitting there taking it all in. This is about love, the kind of love that crosses lines and faiths. I was born in Israel and raised Jewish and I married an Armenian which is orthodox Christian. So love conquers all in my faith. Meet us here, http://dversepoets.com/ where we share our thoughts and our hearts.
love does conquer all...and what a trip as well...bet it was fascinating to walk around...and def on the wish to be able to share that moment...
ReplyDeleteIt does Brian...and it was a moment I wanted to share so badly.
DeleteAyala this is such beautiful imagery! My husband was also born Christian and we were an interfaith family (still are because of his family) until he chose to convert six years ago. He still enjoys playing organ for our friend's Gospel choir on Sunday mornings, but he is also a Klezmer musician in our local Klez band (who knew there was such a thing in NH!)...anyway...love know no boundaries and your poem expresses this beautifully...incense rising...breathing it in and exhaling ...sharing breath with our beloveds, with all beings.
ReplyDeleteChag Sameach
Thank you, Laura. Love knows no boundaries...and I happy that you found your soul mate like I have found mine.
DeleteChag Sameach.
oh i can feel the longing here....love that she has dark eyes... i've been to jerusalem about 22 years ago...a fascinating, multilayered city...
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful...like no other :)
DeleteThis is a really lovely capture of your experience, Ayala.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laurie. :)
Deleteayala, I am so sorry I missed you last week. It was hell here.
ReplyDeleteHowever, this poem goes straight to the heart! How beautiful and touching your tribute, and yes, love conquers all ....and it should be in any faith.
This poem helps to restore mine.
Lady Nyo
Thank you, Jane. :) Happy you came by. Hope all is well :)
DeleteLove knows no borders, exactly as it shouldn't. Love is its own religion and outshines everything else.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, gentle, love-filled read.
Thank you, Bren. You say it well my friend !
DeleteThis is such a gem of a poem...I had to reread a few times...you've captured the essence and spirituality so well...just lovely, Ayala...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Louise.
Delete:)
so personal and real... nice
ReplyDeletebeautiful.....in every aspect! so happy I stopped by today. thank you
ReplyDeletehope you are well
Thank you, Hope. I hope all is well with you..so happy to see you here again :)
Deletelove can prove all other things futile, very nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat :)
Deletethis is so beautiful, on so many levels, your love shines through.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kelly :)
DeleteAn amazing poem. Full of imagery and beautiful to read!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marinela :)
DeleteThis is beautiful and heartfelt...Thanks for sharing this personal journey ~
ReplyDeleteThank you, Grace :)
DeleteLove the way you capture that moment of wanting to share- I've done and felt this often. This was made even more heartfelt knowing that the journey was taken to bury your mother- so very heartfelt and honest- I could almost smell the incense and see it curling through their as I read it
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stu...some moments we remember so clearly...
DeleteThe smell of incense
ReplyDeletefloating in the air,
awakens my senses,
as I sit in silence,
breathing it in for him,
breathing it in for me.
Absolutely loved this. Captures the essence of what you are trying to say.
Thank you, Rudri. Happy you loved it :)
Deleteto me, everyday in jerusalem is a holiday (holy day)
ReplyDeleteHa..well said :)
DeleteWhat a fine evocation of the feel of the Holy Land. Your wonderfully concise descriptions, your emotional transparency. Very nice work.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Steve. :)
DeleteI agree with Steve, this is certainly one of my favorites from you. There is a diaphanous quality to it, like a thin veil that shows us a world of wonders. Maybe as close as we can get to seeing what you saw, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anna. I appreciate it. :)
DeleteYou describe your journey and feelings so beautifully. And what a journey.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Oceangirl. :)
DeleteThis is my favorite:
ReplyDelete"embraced by the sound of chanting,
rising through locked doors"
Thank you...it was magical listening to it :)
DeleteYou had me from the first line, Ayala. Enchanting.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet, Adura.
DeleteThank you. :)
As always, ayala, you shine such a beautiful light on things--this is the other side of humanity, the light and bright side, and I'm so glad you're here to show it to us.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joy. What a beautiful thing to say.
DeleteThis poem is so rich! Lovely, loving, humbling, moving. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandi :)
DeleteSo interesting and rich. It reminds me of travels I've taken alone which I was so longing to share. Thanks. K.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karin :)
DeleteThere is so much richness in this piece--
ReplyDeleteI laid at her feet,
touched her,
listened to her heartbeat from the ground.
Just glorious writing!
Thank you, Audrey :)
DeleteWhat a bridge of two religions you have come to be. How I'd like to compare in an afternoon conversation over tea. I always said I was the Irish Troubles in one person..an Irish protestant grandmother, and an Irish Catholic one.
ReplyDeleteHere in your poem you bring us to that holiest of cities in three religions where you cast your own peace over city, church, synagogue and mosque showing us what temperance and ecumenism can do in a heart of love.
Thank you, Gay. I would love to have that afternoon conversation someday :)
DeleteThank you for sharing this beautifully written and intimate poem. Everything in here is alive with sight, smells, warmth -- the city, the memories.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ravenblack :0
Deletei like how you open with an overview, entering the city. you talk about touching, listening skipping, and then go into that elegant vignette that ends in breathing. quite a nice piece.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ed :)
DeleteReally engages the senses.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Colleen :)
DeleteWonderful descriptive piece. A friend of mine just left last week to visit his mother who still lives there, he's going to spend a month there. Really cool descriptions here, takes us right there. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you, Fred..and welcome to a sun kissed life :)
DeleteBeautiful, especially the last two lines.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janaki :)
DeleteI love this! I so admire and respect the awe and acceptance you have shown here for others...especially in this strife-ridden land with so many faiths struggling to get along. Thank you for sharing this beauty and hope.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jackie :)
DeleteA beautiful story in both verse and prose. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosemary :)
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove just might be the answer to all our questions.
Thank you, Becky.
DeleteAnd I think it is ;)
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove just might be the answer to all our questions.
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove just might be the answer to all our questions.
ayala, this was just gorgeous. Tender and beautiful. Love 'is'...and that's the beauty of it, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Talon :)
DeleteI love the way you put it Talon...Love "is" :)
DeleteVery tender and powerfully evocative.
ReplyDeleteThank you, James :)
Deletebeautiful remembrance of the city, and a tender outpouring of love. thanks for sharing a little bit of your story with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanna :)
DeleteWow. Powerful poem. And the note was sooo lovely! Love conquers all!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robert. Glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteLovely poem, Ayala.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mama Zen :)
DeleteI feel as though I have been shown a piece of its beauty right here! Stunningly emotive write love, this is so powerful, tangible! Wonderful xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Poppy :)
Deletexoxo
this is a lovely reflection of both your ties to family and land and a perfectly fantastic truth of how we can hold our individual verities and unite in peace and love. Wonderful write ~ Rose
ReplyDeleteWise words, Rose and thank you :)
DeleteIt sounds like it was a wonderful experience
ReplyDeleteThank you, John. :)
DeleteLike you, I am half of an interfaith couple. I've long wanted to go to Jerusalem and your poem makes me want to go anymore. Thank you for sharing your writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristen. You have to go one day...when the kids are bigger, you will love it!
DeleteHeartfelt, I can feel the longing. Indeed true love does conquer all. This line really stands out to me: "When I was small I hopscotched under her glorious beauty
ReplyDeletewhile she winked at me."
Thank you, Stephen :)
DeleteTangible faith... lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Apryl. I have missed you..hope all is well. :)
DeleteYou and your husband
ReplyDeletehave built your own
Heavenly City.
I loved you poem-
Warm Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
><}}(°>
Thank you, Cloudia.
DeleteI love your comment :)
Yes love knows no boundaries setting us into any kind of group.
ReplyDeleteReally a BEAUTIFUl poem, Ayala. When I went to Notre Dame hubby was still here in America. And I longed for him to experience it too. What a treat that day -- there was actually a choir singing that day. Amazing!!!
xoxoxo
Thank you, Jannie. I can imagine how wonderful and yet bittersweet that was.
DeleteHappy Easter.
Xoxo
Beautiful poem and story, Ayala. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chria. I appreciate it.
DeleteBeautiful - wistful - yes love includes all faiths.
ReplyDeleteThank you, mosk :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful reflection on the true relationship between faith and love, Ayala. And to come to this realization in Jerusalem, such a sacred place for so many. A huge blessing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria .
DeleteBest wishes.
Oh Ayala, this is so moving. I wish you a wonderful Passover. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary. Happy Easter to you !
Deletevery deep and moving. loved it dear friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Baishali.
DeleteI hope you are well.
I love this and love how a place can be such a character. I've never been to Israel but would like to. Temple, church there is nothing like a meaningful religious building.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lauren . You will love it when you go, there is no other place like it.
Deletehappy passover and easter.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lauren. I wish you and your loved ones a happy Passover .
DeleteI'm so sorry that this trip was a bittersweet one for you...lovely pictures. And yes, love does conquer all.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great weekend!
Thank you, Ameena.
DeleteBest wishes to you !
Love does conquer all. This poem shines with your love for life and your land.
ReplyDeleteHappy passover & easter.
Alita
Thank you, Alita. Love is the answer!
DeleteHappy Easter to you and your beautiful family !
The beauty of love and homeland...a moving poem
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susie .
DeleteIn the "it's always better late than never with great poetry" category--You got the heartstrings vibrating on this one. The imagery is still haunting me (those curves, those eyes). Really felt like I was there, and the story made it all very full, indeed. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanne. I appreciate it. :)
DeleteThis is a beautiful poem, Ayala.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Leslie .:)
DeleteLove conquers all, I agree! A lovely poem. I love Jerusalem (and really all places I visited in Israel) and I hope to go back someday.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Belinda. I hope you get to go back someday :)
DeleteI love the way you personify Jerusalem here, and the beauty of your words; I could smell the incense! Love is the answer, isn't it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much :)
DeleteThank you and happy Easter :)
ReplyDelete