Spring in Israel

The almond trees flare like torches of light,
like spread-out lace of wedding gowns on the hills.
For the first time in months the wind makes
creamy sounds and pokes the earth with soft
ostrich feathers. Birds come and bask in the luxury
of a new sun. On and on rain may still fall to please
the grass and pink petals and salmon buds will gleam
with moisture like the eyes of the Judean settlers
who last night marched through the heart of the city,
the passion of pain igniting torches in their hands.
                               Spring uncoils the green promise
of bounty buried in the soil. The fragile hopes of men
release spring blossoms in other domains.