Phoenix 

by J. Cooper

For 500 years

They hid

In the mountains of Belmonte

Along narrow streets

Among pretty flowers,

olive trees, and apple orchards

For 500 years

They hid -

Their religion

Forbidden by law

For 500 years

They prayed to their God

With tears in their eyes

Prayed to be allowed to pray

For 500 years

They lit the Sabbath candles

And drank the sacramental wine

In the cellars of their homes

Mothers passed on rituals

to daughters and grand-daughters

For 500 years they hid their belief

For 500 years they kept their faith

A knock on the door brought fear

A stranger could not be trusted

Forbidden by law

Yet

For 500 years

The flame was not extinguished

Today they walk with heads held high

To their house of worship

Magen David firmly planted in the garden

Menorah standing proudly in the garden

Outside Sinagoga Bet Eliyahu

Their voices sing the liturgy

Their voices sing

Sephardi melodies

That

For 500 years they hid

Behind closed doors

                                                                             Belmonte esnoga