Dome of the Rock

Looking across the valley

as the Sun peeks

over the distant mountain tops

a shiny half-sphere of gold

tempts

as golden rays

bounce

off its surface.

“Yerushalayim shel zahav.”

Forbidden yet inviting.

All around, the Jerusalem Stone

rises higher and higher

embracing the sky

as it warms my

heart

and tells me softly,

“Welcome home.”