Holy Land

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They're killing again in the Holy Land

Fathers, daughters, mothers, sons

Stoned, clubbed, bombed, with a gun.

The world watches, appalled: "It's what they do.

     Nothing to be done."

 

They're dying again in the Holy Land

Arab, Jew, a Christian or two.

A mother wails: "My children, my children,

     all gone. All gone."

 

They're praying again in the Holy Land

In temples, mosques, basilicas

To the One in whose name the killing and dying

     is done.

And processing from their sacred spaces into the

     bruised light of day

They block their ears to a beggar's benediction:

Assalamu alaykum. Shalom aleichem. Peace be on earth.

Amyn.

Amēn.

Amen.