Above the old Jerusalem graveyard
white clouds disperse
at the light blowing of summer’s wind
Serene, blue skies
over young soldiers’ graves.
The sea of tears flooding the old graveyard
drenched trees’ roots,
the salt burnt their leaves.
On barren brown branches.
flowers’ colour of murky red,
diluted, now turned pink
A flock of swallows resting beside the pink blooms
painterly stroke of black and white
rest on the leafless trees,
after a long winter’s journey
unaware of the flood of liquid grief
birds playfully chirp the joy of sunshine
as if celebrating the peacefulness of death
in a never-ending war.
________
Lena Solomon is an Israeli psychologist and writer living in Canada. Her published work includes poetry book“October” and children’s book “Ariya’s Odyssey”. She has also published a book of poetry and stories in verse for children (in Hebrew). Her poems have appeared in literary magazines such as OfTheBook Press, Verse Afire Poetry Magazine, and lately Dark Winter Lit Magazine (poems and story, to go live in May, 2026). She is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society.