99 Names - Joshua Davis

A lantern was lit as we walked through the door

A strong wind blew, but the oil was pure

Far away were the lights of Tel Aviv,

99 names on a string of beads

We stood on the balcony looking over his land,

His arm round my shoulder, his hand in my hand

Silence settled in, just the wind through the leaves

and 99 names on a string of beads

Wood to wood, stone to stone

Man is made of flesh and bone

Perhaps God saw that it was good

But now there’s only stone and wood

«A man has his faith and his land and that’s all.»

He said to me quietly as we walked down the hall

«They came in the night and uprooted my trees»

Now they’re 99 names on a string of beads

«This land is where my grandchildren will dwell.

I’m patient insha’Allah, but stubborn as well.»

Like Noah waiting for the flood to recede,

With 99 names on a string of beads

He took my wrist in his hand and held on tight

«How is it you find your path in the night?

From where does it come and to where does it lead?»

Then he placed in my palm his string of beads

He gave me the house and took the stairs for himself

The lantern quietly placed on a shelf

I stared at the flame and sat clutching my knees

And 99 names on a string of beads

Wood to wood and stone to stone,

Here in my hand of flesh and bone

Perhaps there’s something I’ve misunderstood

Between the stone and the wood