Ein Gedi

An ode to our morning expedition by Rachel Schneider and Trudi Rae, written on the bumpy tour bus through the desert.

Two roads diverged in Ein Gedi
And sadly we traveled but one (uphill).
Past the Hyrax
Hoping to live another day
As the path got steeper and the rock steps led the way.

Hand-in-hand we shlepped and sweated, leaving all flat ground behind.
But wait, what was that above on the hill past the DANGER sign?
A single traveler (our friend Neil, waving) beckoned the twins higher
As we watched in fear
The two bounded up like double-deer to a unanimous cheer.

But Raya’s will was ever-strong
(While half the group was surprise suddenly gone) -
A human-chain snaking down the dusty rocks
To the leaf-chewing Ibex waiting at the front gate
(Raya again reminds us we’re running late – Masada awaits).

When Brotherhood congregants bond
This all makes sense:
Two roads diverged in Ein Gedi—and we—
We took the hard path (us shtackas) and it made all the difference.