The Tree of Hope

On a hill above the town

There stood an ancient olive tree

Green gnarled branches reaching up

Reaching desperately for hope

Above the hill the full moon rose

It framed the tree with gossamer grace

One child east saw the tree and dreamed

Another child west saw the tree and danced

Amid the dance and dream

Screams within some souls despair

One child declared her dreams forever lost

With nothing left to give but her life to lies

Above the hill the sun arose

It framed the tree with radiant light

One child saw the tree and dreamed

Another child saw the tree and danced

Elder empty souls dressed the dreaming child 

With hate covered covered her with death

While cautious parents dressed with fear

The dancer in colors bold to match her smile

At a market they converged

The dreamer and the dancer

Their eyes meet with a smile

Then vaporized they became 

A horrific mist of dust and blood 

Above the hill a machine rose

It framed the tree with beating blades

A rocket's fire destroys the olive tree

Now children neither dream or dance

Now no one can dare to chance 

Old men sneer shaking damned fists

Death is their desire their passion

There is no cause like destruction

 Empty dried souls on fire with rage

They play their peoples lives away 

When another tree becomes ancient 

When it sits atop the hill in the light

When its fruit is harvested and shared

The young will dream and dance together

On the dust of hateful leaders

They will understand 

This tree is the tree of hope

© Paul Viel 2002