Spencer Heath Archive

Item 582

Composed by Heath during the 1948 Palestine War, while at The Hearthstone, KKI House; Winter Park, Florida, and submitted to The New York Times April 14, 1948.

THE HILLS OF PALESTINE

Embosomed on the stream of time

The ancient hills of Palestine

Resplendent in the sinking sun

Drowse golden when the day is done.

‘Twas here the old-time sages trod

Communing intimate with God,

Prophetic of that Promised One

Whom He would bless, Beloved Son.

Remembering stars now lambent gleam

In Jordan’s dim baptismal stream,

While hills of Palestine still stand, Mementos in that Holy Land

And solemn, silent vigil hold

O’er tragic turmoil as of old,

Yet on the brow of one of them

Shines an Eternal Diadem.