Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

-        -  Move over, you’re blocking my view!-

Of the future, - he added.

-        -  I have been sitting up here

For three thousand years,

Maybe four.  

She shrugged her hills

And didn’t budge an inch.

-        -  And who may you be, sir?

-         - What makes you think,

He persisted, -

-          That some piles of old stones,

Ruins and dust,

Your long outskirts,

A few donkey-wide streets,

The infinite bloodshed and prayer,

Of hordes of obstinate bigots, -

Are of any use today?

He puffed out smoke,

Rudely scratching his dunes,

Adjusted his chimneys,

And leaned back to listen.

-       -   Dear newcomer,

She was shaking with fury, -

-          Tel Aviv, - he corrected.

-        -  Whoever you may…

-        -  I am a hundred years young! -

He insisted.

-         - Would you please be still for a moment?

-         - I cannot, - he protested. -

I shan’t ever stop moving,

Dancing and walking,

Grooving and biking…
Hey, are you sleeping again? 

-        -  My streets have never stopped singing,

Prayers and memories,

Spirits and rabbis, -

Sacred and pure,

The quivering air

Upholding the hope,

Of generations…

-        -  Poor lady, oh no…

Have you ever heard of equality?

Marching for freedoms,

Liberal values,

End occupation,

This is what matters,

Gain some awareness…

-         - Where’s that written?

-         - In our Independence, -

What? You don’t know?

-        -  Which volume of Talmud? -

She was getting impatient. -

-          Letters of fire

Floating on parchment.

Crowns and vowels,

Sang out loud,

Voices of prophets,

Ringing Truth in your ears…

-      -    Says who? - laughed the youngster.

-      -    What? You don’t know?

***

They argue and argue,

Year after year,

Through storms and the rockets,

Heatwaves and swelter,

Neighbours forever,

Infinite rivals,

Tel Aviv and Jerusalem,

Polar opposite cities.