Walking through the Old City
With Lee-Tal, my wife's Israeli friend
Who she met in middle school
In the Phillipines.

Since I went to Divinity School
I am in a bit of amazed wonder
About finding myself in Jerusalem

I do not bring up religion
But Lee-Tal wants to take us
To the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Before her upcoming wedding in Tel Aviv.

I walk silently, taking in the sites.
Brown buildings. Brown desert horizon.

Market. Lebanese bread. 80s music in our hotel. Lee-Tal's parents and relatives.

Jerusalem we are shown.

Jesus was a nice Jewish boy
Lee-Tal says
With a few ideas of his own.