Your city

28 November 2010

I am in your city tonight God
Or at least other claim it as such
Noisy it is – and no doubt was
When your footsteps were falling
here amidst the footsteps
of so many others

Young boys carrying boxes of fruit six boxes high
old men changing money, chatting in doorways
And veiled women browsing and provisioning in equal measure
Day to day life in a holy place
Seems so much like other places
Traders guiding their carts down the steep slopes
Braking on a tyre
Calls to prayer echoing up the laneways
Like incense swirling around the shoppers
Work food prayer trade and greetings
your city

Drawing aside are pilgrims
Smiling here and welcoming
Us to their house
Nestled comfy up against
Damascus Gate
In the midst of this city the home of a friend
Seems so much more needful
Mary and Martha a little way from the city
Where the trajectory of life
Can be reshaped slightly
By the light of your city
Lightly