What are you, my Lebanon?

[andave_ya]

They took you from me. With their guns and loud words.
The fountain of words from their lips disgraced them.
They mocked our love because
You are an Arab. They demand your allegiance. Your death?
I am an Arab. An Arab woman. An American woman.
"Let the woman stay," they said. "She belongs at home anyway."
I said nothing.
Bound by the laws of this country, I sit at home.
Are you still my country? Though the women sit keening over their losses,
What are you, my Lebanon?
Though you are haunted by the spilt blood of those who loved you,
Are you still the land of the cedars?
Lebanon, my Lebanon, are you still in Solomon's Temple?
Though years have passed since the time of David,
Are you still great, my Lebanon?
Are you the land of my forebears?

Lebanon, my love, are you still my homeland?
My God! Purge my land of its madness!

***EDIT: My intent in this poem was to show the love and compassion I feel for Lebanon, especially because my parents are Lebanese immigrants. I am not trying to make any kind of political statement.***

[Scheherazade]

This thread will remain open as long as it does not evolve into a discussion of current political issues.

Any posts with political references will be deleted with or without any further notice.

[PrinceMyshkin]

This is a deeply felt, poetically expressed and very, very moving piece. Thank you - and my deepest sympathy for the several kinds of misery your parents' homeland is experiencing.

[andave_ya]

PrinceMyshkin, thank you. That means a lot coming from a talented poet like yourself.

[PrinceMyshkin]

PrinceMyshkin, thank you. That means a lot coming from a talented poet like yourself.

And thank YOU, my friend. {edit}

[andave_ya]

You've got a beautiful culture, Prince. My Mom, sister (BulletproofDork here on the forums) and I are learning Hebrew - Old Testament prophecies, traditional Jewish dance, and the language itself. Kindergarten level right now, but it's such a grand language! I love the sound of the words, the fullness of them. And the music is very lovely too.

[PrinceMyshkin]

You've got a beautiful culture, Prince. My Mom, sister (BulletproofDork here on the forums) and I are learning Hebrew - Old Testament prophecies, traditional Jewish dance, and the language itself. Kindergarten level right now, but it's such a grand language! I love the sound of the words, the fullness of them. And the music is very lovely too.

Shalom rav l'cha, chaver! Unlike most Jewish kids of my background I did not go to Jewish school after hours so until I went to Israel at age 17 to live and work on kibbutz Kfar Blum for a time, I had no knowledge of Hebrew but soon as I began to learn and speak it, I felt as if my tongue had been waiting for it, as if it and Hebrew had been shaped for each other. I don't get much of a chance to use it here...

As for Hebrew music, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EBNpzQIAZ0