Another Night

​The silver slivered moon in the sky marks the first night of Ramadan.  The Arabic music echoing through the valley tells us our Muslim friends made it through their first day of fasting. My imagination wanders to the festive food feasted over in many Palestinian homes.

On this side of the mountain, we eat katayef to celebrate with our fellow brothers and sisters. It’s out fifth night together at the farm, and the setting sun and night stars have never ceased to come through for us. Our days come to an end on the farm around this time every night.

Tonight, rice, zucchini and carrots filled our hungry bellies while another radiant pink and orange sky filled our hearts.

There is no place in the world like this. There is no place in the world like this.

Every night we all say the same thing.

On a clear evening the sun reflects like a shimmering mirror in the distant Mediterranean Sea. For thirty whole minutes we receive a lifetime of beauty.

Until the night falls and the high place we perch tingles with crisp, steady winds. And a blanket of stars keeps us warm and protected for another night.

Our tired eyes fight to make it past the night fall. Sometimes we fight the weariness, so we can have undivided conversations. Sometimes we fight our sleepy bodies to laugh and play games together. Tonight, we fight the end of a day’s labor to rest by a fierce and warm fire.

Together we gather, some sing songs on the guitar, some play card games on the side, some just stare, some have endless chatter, and some just sit back…and write.

As the night ends, the embers create a red mosaic we can’t take our eyes off of. The stars come back into existence as the fire fades. And again, we are lost in awe at such beauty.