1977-1978

kibbutz grofit is built upon a lone hill
standing in tiie geographical rift that runs
the length of the negev called the arava.
on either side of this depression stand
mountains, and the entire are seems devoid
of life and movement, except grofit, to
whom this poem is dedicated.
i .
fortifying a stretch of parchment,
prone under the harsh sun, a
column of ancient guards
threaten to engulf
a fragile capsule of life
tottering green atop a barren sentinel.
ii.
with the passing of the day,
the sun slips
behind massive stone shoulders,
colors glow, move, fade;
shifting in intensity
the unbearable weight
of a burning eternity
dissipates.
iii.
as the wind blows through fir trees
a soft low whistling song of solitude
is heard on the hill
to the east and west
now stand shadows
vague, protective,
in the hazy,
thick blue-black darkness
of a desert night.
Judith mendelsohn
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