I am waiting for my return

I am waiting for the blessing I will receive 

and the feeling 

of coming home

I am waiting for love and beauty

in every day I walk 

in search of it

though it is not possible to replicate

from so far away

I am waiting for security agents

to stare in my eyes

and ask me question after question

of my intentions

I am waiting for the sound of prayer

I am waiting for a

Love 

Which can only be found

in the vastness of the Negev

I am waiting for zaatar 

I am waiting for labneh

I am waiting for fresh pita like crisp pillows

I am waiting for charif

the spicy, red sauce

to be eaten with everything

I am waiting for tea with cardamom

Honey

and dates

I am waiting for Hebrew and Arabic 

to float in the air,

singing 

so I will not ever forget them

or be without

I am waiting for the Kotel

I am waiting for the blessing

I am waiting for the closeness

I am waiting for the blanket 

to be wrapped around my arms

and my whole body

as if to say I am here