A traveller once gave to me
Some ancient sands of Galilee
"Go place this in a glass of time,
Your heart, its soul will intertwine."
Around my neck I tied with cord,
And carried on the fruitless thought-
Cruel life it is to all uneven,
But sorrow in me only deepened.
"How are we bound this sand and I?"
Though in his place now only sky.
"Who touched this sand that made it dread?
Whose dust is this that now is dead?"
My soul and it were surely bound,
Not as I hoped nor as I found.
Enslaving me in walls of time,
Each passing grain, strengthening bind.
The sands they spoke of ancient truth
Known to all hearts without need proof.
I ceased believing I was wronged,
The sand they sang with rhythmic throng.
I saw the trunkless legs of stone
Then to to the East the sands were blown
Washed down from the King's own feet,
Dormant it lay in desert heat.
A wanderer since had encased
This desert soul, and ancient race.
Its story known its message clear
Its timely rhythm bringing fear.
Upon a rock I broke its cage
A sudden shock, a fit of rage.
The whirlwind set my old heart free
I'd touched the start of History.
Heart, soul and sand together one
Consumed by fiery desert sun.
Though does not turn to ashes but
Brings forth new life from ancient dust.