|| - Independence Day- ||

Israel celebrates her 76th birthday today, so I wrote her a love letter.

I know that at night, you can still hear their screams,
and oh, how you weep for their broken dreams.
Then at first light, you put on a show,
wishing your warmth may soften the blow.

And in silent prayer, you plead for the remain,
that from the ashes, they will rise again.
And through it all, you stand proud and tall,
like all those smiling faces printed on the wall.

I’m puzzled by how you manage to persevere
and shine your brightest while consuming fear.

With hope, you dress the broken heart.
With faith, you sew the torn apart.
With light, you cast the shadows away.
With love, you color all the gray.

“This is not the end,”
you whisper firmly and take my hand.
”Trust me, I know. I’m not an ordinary land.
And until then, I know exactly where I stand.”