I Would Go Up To Jerusalem Poem by Terence George Craddock (Spectral Images and Images Of Light)

It is Friday morning
the Holy Day in Islam
I would enter into the
ancient city of Jerusalem

Oh Holy City to Judaism Christianity
Islam all three worshipping the one God
all three recognizing the same almighty God
as creator of heaven and earth and all life


I would enter into the
ancient city of Jerusalem
yet every road leading up is blocked
every street closed off by Israeli police

they do this to protect me
they do this to keep my blood
from staining their innocent hands
they do this to keep me safe from harm


like locusts Palestinian children
descend upon the ancient city
like the plagues upon Pharaohs’ Egypt
dark angel of hate sown into their hearts

their parents have fostered
fed them message of hate
their parents have taught
them to be slingers of stones


road after road we try
back road we enter now
God willing finally we may
enter into this his Holy City

the last few Israeli police
are shedding their plastic armour
the last few of hundreds
stone guards protecting innocent flesh


this will not be shown
on your home television
throw a stone in Jerusalem
echo is heard felt world wide

your television is full of Israeli
incursion into pitied West Bank
war has come to Palestine again
legacy stain of murderous Cain


rockets were cast from Palestine
cast into pregnant nation Israel
cast with hate anger guiding flight
cast among civilians causing new fight

he who lives by the sword
will die by the war sword
I watch returning Israeli soldiers dance
faces echo all races joyful still alive dance


I would enter into the
ancient city of Jerusalem
peace love to bestow upon Islam
to Islam new kid on the block

at the Wailing Wall I offer up my prayers
prayers that must mount up to heaven
I offer up my prayers for all God’s children
at the Wailing Wall I stand before God's face


‘let he who is without sin
cast the first stone... ’
I have no stone to cast
I stand with empty hand heart

God look into my soul
my soul is heavy with sorrow
God look into my heart
my heart is heavy with love


Copyright © Terence George Craddock