Taking the Hump!

Har Gamal, just outside Karmiel, Lower Galilee is a hill with a twin-humped camel-shaped top, formed by centuries of wind and rain erosion.

Although popular with abseiling (‘rappelling’) enthusiasts, the area is unspoilt, boasts orchards of ancient olive trees and affords a wonderful view towards Haifa Bay.

 

On Being Har Gamal

 

I am a camel with two humps.

My lushly verdant saddle bestrides

twin mountains shaped by weather’s

ancient rules, first lapping, then lashing

wrinkled rock, a patterned beat

struck to the rhythm of time.

 

 

 

I am unshod. But as the Hebrew

alphabet’s third letter, am not unschooled,

so know that from my regal mount I may,

on days like these glimpse Haifa’s sun-

dazed bay or wonder on Itshar’s

early olives as they bud but –

shame! - are still far too tart to try.

 

 

 

I am silent but not quite deaf,

so understand that should

romantics yearn to hear the songs

of spring they may cup an ear to

nearby Yonah’s caves, wherein a

multitude of aerial tenants swoop,

sway and trill.

 

 

There, thrilled to be gathered

in a place of avian prayer, they

could form a choir loud enough to

burst as one from the body of a

whale with time in hand to save

a grand city’s citizens who know not

their right from their left and many

camels besides!

.

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© Natalie Wood (18 February 2016)