With the towers tumbling down,
As a silent tear of sorrow
Fell below my thorny crown.
And as I watched in horror,
The rape of humanity,
My heart began to take me
Far across the sea.
To a land of milk and honey,
Promised by my God,
And a city on a hilltop,
Purchased with my blood:
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
You who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you!
How often have I wanted to gather your children together,
As a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing."
The answer is not there you fools!
It's coming from above,
And it will not reach fulfillment
Until you learn to love.
For the city of my children
Is not built by the hands of man.
It can only be found among you,
According to my plan:
Learn to love me fully,
This your children tell,
And learn to love your neighbor,
And to love yourself as well.
But until you learn these lessons,
I cannot say much more.
I'll simply bow my head in sadness,
And "... lift my lamp beside the Golden Door!"
(9-13-01)