Qanun like a zither plucking
running goats from a carousing stream,
Saz strings singing each water drop,
Oud shaking the rainbow from the mist,
Kamanjah—that other name for a violin—
surfing along the ultraviolet waves,
while a Russian Balalaika taps
its toes frenetically and
the Darbuka keeps them in time
and sometimes Bongos serve
for Tablas—all a whirling meditation
chorusing the heavens in hopes
that one day their peace will come
as Arab and Jew play a concert together
on a mystical mountain in the Upper Galilee.
– Michael Dickel
© 2015, poem, Michael Dickel, excerpt from War Sourrounds Us, All rights reserved
Thank you, Jamie. This concert actually happened, and in the midst of the Hamas-Israel conflict. It was amazing to sit and listen, to be part of it, to hear hope.
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This one is a treasure for several reason, not the least is that I love my Middle Eastern music. A lovely and memorable poem.
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