Orange and Olive

Olive and Orange 
From the years of 650 and onwards Andalusia 
Was a tolerant Arabic province, which even tolerated
the Jewish tradesmen pushing their handcarts on
cobble stones and the Christians with their infernal
 bells ringing on Sunday mornings. 
The three religions lived side my side in relative
harmony, one can say the following 300 years 
Andalusia and part of Algarve was an oasis of peace.
The Arab architecture is still there and in music 
one can still hear the Arabic influence not to forget
the poetry inspired in beautiful gardens with running 
water and cooling shade, where love was made and
in Yasmin scented afternoons.

Nothing lasts forever the Christian horde came with
their swords -the ISIS of the time- heads rolled in the sand
Andalusia became a Catholic nation, yet the echo of more
 a contemplative time lingers on. 
 This story was told to me by the oldest olive tree in the world 
 that lives in a valley of orange trees.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace