Almond Tree - Part 2, Days of Light

Almond Tree
by Melissa Campbell

The oil runs clear through the presses
to fill the jars that supply the lamps-shimmer holy
from blossoms on branches of the Almond Tree.

Ripe the fruit of ancient Roots,
gathered, crushed golden in hushed garden grove,
the oil runs clear through the presses.

Maccabbee miracle shines Chanukkah joy,
eight days illuminating Judah's praise,
from blossoms on branches of the Almond Tree.

Always burning in the Holy Place,
two servants serving the Lord night and day;
the oil runs clear through the presses.

God-eyes probing dark earth corners,
casting light for blind to see,
from blossoms on branches of the Almond Tree.

Not by might nor power, but intimately,
by The Spirit of the Lord of Angel Armies,
the oil runs clear through the presses
from blossoms on branches of the Almond Tree.

 

Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” ~ Zechariah 11:1-2 (NIV ) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010 by Biblica

Today is Day 2 in the Days of Light series.  Please join me for the next 6 days as I continue to light a candle in words to highlight the Coming of our Lord as celebrated by some in Advent and The Festival of Lights.  

Previous Posts:

Day 1:  Walk in Light

I was inspired recently by L.L. Barkat to write a villanelle.  The Almond Tree is the fruit of my efforts.  I am so glad I took her up on the challenge.  To learn about this rhyme-scheme, you can visit Seedlings in Stone.


Photo Courtesy:  flickr - J. M. Rosenfeld.