Son of the Cedars - Boullous il Bahri

i

A soothing wind
Caresses the sleep stained cheek
Of an emptying youth

Shaking the foundations of time
Chilling the boundaries of dream
Guiding his first steps to their calling
The calling of ancient tongues
Ancient tongues
Waiting to fill the troth
of youthful ears.

He is placed in their northern circle
And christened one of their own
Emblazoning him with their gifts
"Of Strong roots thrust into arid rock"
Of a silent tongue that watches the forest play
And a spirit that lives while the earth decays

They brand his image to their trunks
And legitimise him with their name

Son
Son of the cedars
They chant
As the sun takes the shape of the moon
As the ground treads the steps of centuries past
And the sky rains the taste of their sweet perfume

Finally,
He has joined the race of the immortals
And leaves them………..a man
With the pride of Lebanon
Fastened securely
To his back


ii

That same wind emerges
Breaking through the foundations of time
Reaching past the laws of space

Finding him
In a strangers land

Guiding him back …..

Holding out their branching arms
Cradling him to their timeless breasts
Singing ancient lullabies
While he sleeps in their warping mist………..

He died!
Died in the arms of the immortal

His body
Feeding the thirsty ground
Saturating their roots

Oh Son
Son of the cedars
They brought you back to us
Reincarnated
Through the greenest of their leaves
________________

Dedicated to the memory of my Grandfather, Paul Michael (Boullous il Bahri)