by Mark Weinrich

I am overwhelmed with wonder
by memory in a seed, by the record
packed of what it would be,
by vitality and will to rise, even 
when all its kind were dead. Yet 
this date palm seed, leftover
from a meal at Masada
2000 years ago, captured the 
imagination of one who
pondered if it could be sown.

When its grass-like blade broke
the earth, this seedling shook the world.
Not in a thousand years had this delicacy 
for Romans and staple in Israel breathed
the air. Being at once the youngest, yet
oldest of its kind, this male date palm 
was dubbed Methuselah.

I am amazed by the memory of this seed
that bore it up through ages of darkness
into the light. And I am reminded that when 
my time is sown, I will rise, for I am a part
of the family tree of Him who burst
the garden tomb and broke 
the chains of night.

Author’s note: Methuselah is the first resurrected Biblical plant and can be found on the Internet or YouTube using “2000-year-old seed germinates.”

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Mark Weinrich lives a creative life as a writer, photographer, musician, and artist—all wrapped together in an outdoorsman. He is a retired pastor and nine-year cancer survivor. His writing and photography have appeared in over 130 news stand, inspirational, and literary publications. He has sold eight children’s books and currently has two fantasy novels on Kindle.