Israel Travel Diary
March 1997

Netanya And A Day Of Flowers

The first trip I made from Netanya to Caesarea was a mess. First, Netanya is designed so that it isn't easy to get from the beach back to Highway 2. Second, it's hard and confusing to get from the beach back to Highway 2. Oh well, the location and cost are pluses and the investment of time and energy is minimal and this time, we paid careful attention and made it out in record time without any bumps or bruises. McDonalds doesn't open until 11 a.m. so we couldn't stop for good coffee on the way out.

Rain is a blessing in a country like Israel. They want all they can get. They got all we wanted. In between the waves of rain, we closed in on Caesarea. Green fields covered with red and yellow poppies were in sharp contrast to the brown fields that I had known on previous trips. Wild flowers were everywhere. They were deeply colored wild flowers. Deep red and deep yellow and deep all the other colors that wild flowers grow. Beautiful! Where was the brown?

The Wildflower
I am more than who you think.. wiser, richer, handsomer.
Crushed beneath a drought of luck.. but for God's grace.
I have dreams and hopes and words unsaid.. enriching.
Forced to live this place I'm in.. watching eagles soar.
I am more than who you think I am.. thinking all the while.
Ah to be a man of dreams.. who I really am.
I would be the best I've been.. you'd see who I am.
Wanting, yearning ere.. to be another.
I look afar to coming days.. time is passing by.

I find that trust is like Israel's dirt.
All brown and ordinary like.
I feel the rain and see the gain.. Wow.
A touch of water's life and springs.
I suddenly see the life you give.. important.
In your gift you gave me life.
I am like a wild flower grown.
A moment is all I have.
I am more than who I think I am.

Clay April 1997


- Caesarea In The Rain