Jerusalem, Israel
We live in Jerusalem, our apartment at an intersection on a major thoroughfare, the central north-south artery running through the city center. This is convenient for a family with no vehicle; a bus stop rests just outside our window, making the Jerusalem downtown readily accessible.
As you can well imagine, we constantly hear the sounds of traffic from our home. Ambulances, police cars, honking, stop announcements from passing busses… Our landlord told me that he could never live in such a noisy place as this (his grandparents were the ones who purchased and once lived in this apartment). Nevertheless, none of this bothers us – we’re used to noisy city life.
Right now, at 1:40 AM, the bus stop sits empty, visible under the street lights. Little Israeli flags flutter above it, stretching over the thoroughfare, as Israel Independence Day was just two weeks ago. The soft rumbling of car engines is heard, a reminder of humanity’s footprint. The day’s heavy winds have given way to a chilly night breeze, but it’s strong enough yet that I decided to pull the window closed immediately after snapping a photograph.
Stillness in motion Silence is momentary Israel's heartbeats
d’Verse haibun Monday:
‘The present moment’
The d’Verse prompt: Let us now bear witness to the present moment! However you experience it, write a haibun that expresses the present moment.
The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱 
Looking good
Thanks!
Very beautiful David! I like what you had to say and your lovely poem. Hope you are having a great week my friend. Love and hugs to you and your family – Joni xoxoxo
💜 Thanks so much, Joni 💜
It was my pleasure you write beautifully David. 🤗❤️🥰 Love to you and your family. Joni
I love the way you put words together…😍
Deena, that is very kind of you.
Thank you ❤
David
Davis, out of all your lines that stillness is momentary strikes a chord for me, yes!
🤗 Paul, thank you 🤗
That’s what I love about the city. (K)
How many years have you lived in the city Kerfe? Has it been all your life?
❤
David
I moved here when I was 19 to go to Fashion School, not intending to stay. But the city suits me–I really hated the suburbs where I grew up.
🏙️ Kerfe 🏙️
Thank you for sharing a little piece of your world. I love learning about other cultures and ways of living.
Me too, Heather! I’m so glad you enjoyed this ❤
Yours,
David
Twenty years ago I lived in the city, but probably at a more silent place than yours… the silence we have now is such that I sometimes consider birdsong a nuisance.
I suppose I could adapt to something like that some day, but cities have come to feel so comfortable to me…
You painted an amazing image, one we can see/hear as we read. Well done.
❤ Thanks, Helen ❤
This is a brilliant piece, I felt like I was there with you. I’v got to admit, I don’t think I could live with all the noise, either that or I’d need to buy some really good double glazing. Thanks for the wonderful read
I understand. I love living in major cities. Before Jerusalem, I used to live in DC.
This was lovely, Ben.
Thanks so much, Dale! I really appreciate it. 🙂
BTW, please feel free to call me ‘David’ ~ that’s my first name. ‘ben’ just means ‘son of’ in Hebrew, and my father’s name was ‘Alexander’.
Yours,
David
I guess as a newbie, I didn’t realise… I shall try to remember in the future, David!
Dale, no worries! I knew what I was getting myself into when I chose this confusing pen name 😀
But now we know and have learned something 🙂
It’s like Fitz or Mac before a Scottish or Irish name means ‘son of’ as well
🤗 Dale 🤗
💞