At the Beautiful Springs of Engedi...

Photo credit: freerepublic.com

AT THE WATER BROOKS

Israel Pilgrimage--2006

We stop briefly

at a verdant oasis

in the wilderness—

the Springs of Engedi

where long ago in a cave nearby

David spared the life of Saul

A crystalline waterfall descends

from high above our heads

into a sparkling pool at our feet

Our rabbi tells us

deer and ibex

hyrax and rock badgers

roam these hills

and that in the shade

of the caves

psalmists of old

likely scrawled

timeless verses

My mind’s eye

envisions a son of Korah

sitting upon a rock

at the mouth of a cave

ministering unto the Lord

on a hot day—

Suddenly a thirsty deer

appears and begins

lapping cool, refreshing water

from the stream—

            hence, Psalm 42

As the deer pants

for the water brooks,

So my soul pants

for You, O God…

We begin to sing the psalm—

our own souls thirsting

for the Living God

of the ages

as our eyes dart about

searching for deer or ibex

or a snippet

of Saul’s garment

shorn by the blade

of David’s swift sword

Maude Carolan Pych