Green traverses the land
like a weary soldier
stumbling along
around all things beautiful
are iron and stone bars
twisted in earthly song.
Life before them mourns
the hills ache quietly
and the wind shrieks her anger
the world groans at the blemish
bemoaning the blood
that wrought them.
But from the ground
a burst of fire and light
crawls up the fence
entangling her fragile body
in the carnage
coaxing green into the dulled silver
pulling ever downward.
I free them from bondage,
she says, I am the incarnation
of death and lucidity
come to give retribution
and life,
to change my name, and yours
we now fight for a different purpose.
Come away, come away
shield your soul from the
blackened heart
set, instead, a new course
for a soul in unity.
Oh fence, with my existence you
will bind yourself, and I to you
tearing down the bitter lie
and innocent dream
our destruction to herald the beginning
of a dawn anew
for men, sight, and truth.
This piece is inspired by The Tent of Nations outside Bethlehem and S.A. Borders-Shoemaker’s time living and working in the OPT.
