The Dove - with audio

audio link

Through many a veil and sandstorm
The scent of myriad desert flowers called out
Seeking passage in the whispering of the wind's
Hot breath blown upon the hills of a Holy Land

Dervishes turned and beggars  gathered around the square's
Source of water to the sounds of rattling old carts and
The crowds of the bazaar, the sun shown down commanding
Beauty to dance in the lines on the faces of an ancient people

There yellowed pages restlessly unfolded and Torah
Scrolls were opened in a place where Moses was not forgotten
The strains of King David's Psalms were expressed in voice,
Plucked out on the lyre, and then tished and tapped on the timbrel

A lone dove caught the rising scent of the desert blossoms
And carried it to the Psalms' expressive songs emanating from the people
There they mingled, aroma and prayer, in the ripples on the surface of a pool
That never ran dry, and the Dove's reflection traveled over the water

Once captured in the Sun's powerful rays, the Dove's descent
Was blindingly beautiful and a glorious vision,  gasps were heard,
And time seemed to stand still for the many pilgrims who had stopped
To refresh themselves with a dipper of the pool's life giving water.

From the moment of the Dove's first appearance, there arose from the pool
A mist each morning and evening,  that lifted with it the sweet savor and song,
It was a mixture of many a soul's longing,  praise and thanksgiving
Ascending into the presence of the Almighty One in the highest heavens above

The God of Salvation held out His Right Hand in mercy and compassion
The rising vapor upon touching the finger of Hashem (THE NAME), began at once to descend
Only now it was transformed, into a falling rainbow broken into sparkling droplets of dew
And within each one's brightness and colors was represented the promises of His Eternal Love

As millennia passed, life and commerce in the noisy market place, continued to flourish
And to this very day - there is yet a point of light reflected down from high above,
Dancing upon the pool in the old square where long ago the scents of  Etrog and Myrtle,
With Psalms of joy, music and prayer were wed together by a Dove in the morning light

The pure water remains radiant in the sun each day and in the moonlight at night
It is a healing balm and a source of life to the thirsty spirit of every weary sojourner
They, together with the hearts of all the many peoples of the old kingdom, await patiently for the Return of the Dove and the coming of the Bridegroom within the heart of Jerusalem, City of Gold.