Nate B Quill

When my parents tell me of their days as students here 
They describe a country covered in lush green mountains 
Snowy peaks with machine pulling man up, and then effortlessly gliding down
Down to blue waters, sometimes dotted with jellyfish 
But more often covered in children’s laughs, boats and beer 
When my parents tell me of their days as students here 
They tell me of the Switzerland of the Arab world 

When my parents tell me of their days as students here 
They speak stories of busy markets 
The rich and famous roaming the streets 
Sweet perfumes filling the air, buttery French food lining bakery windows 
Diamond jewelry and watch faces lighting up cobbled roads
Leaving no corner in the dark, no man in hiding 
When my parents tell me of their days as students here 
They tell me of the Paris of the Middle East 

Perhaps one day I’ll get to visit the Paris of the Middle East 
Someday explore the mountains of Arabia’s Switzerland 
Perhaps someday I’ll get to see the peaceful wood that God used to make his temple 
The kingdom He had envisioned for Lebanon. 

Art by my friend Maritta