I’m just a little homesick today. Mostly, for palm trees—and that sensation of being exactly where I belong that I get only when I am home.Â
A palm tree stands in the middle of Rusafa,
Born in the West, far from the land of palms.
I said to it: How like me you are, far away and in exile,
In long separation from family and friends.
You have sprung from soil in which you are a stranger;
And I, like you, am far from home.
 ~~ Abd al-Rahman of Cordoba (731-788 CE) translation: D.F. Ruggles
Where did you find that poem? It’s beautiful.
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I first read it in a book called, “The Ornament of the World” by Maria Rosa Menocal. But I would imagine it can be found in any compendium of pre-Islamic poetry. It’s fairly famous in that genre. I wish I could read Arabic and hear it in the original. Because it must be beautiful. ~W
Beautiful poem. I didn’t grow up with palm trees, but they are my happy vacation tree. Just the sight of them makes me relax!! 🙂
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I miss them. I miss the topography of Southern California. I’m afraid I’ll always want Agave and Palms over Rhododendrons and Fir. 😀 ~W
Oh, your pic makes me homesick too! I’m feeling very at home in Chicago-land west suburbs, and yet, SB is my home, and SF my cousin.
Blessings to you!
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I’m so happy to hear Chicago-ish is feeling like home to you. You sound happy in this call. And they are so LUCKY to have you, Deb! Someday, I want to come visit the area and your church and hear you preach! ~W
Ahhh. Santa Barbara. Beautiful. You and me *in* Santa Barbara. Even more beautiful. 😀
It’s good to know exactly where you belong – even if you aren’t there. Yet. 🙂
looove that photo. Love the white and the green and the blue.