Earth’s saddest night
The stars over Palestine were dim that night. Not because of any obscuring clouds, or silvery mist, or plant-refreshing rain. It was the dry season and the atmosphere was crystal-clear, without fleck or flaw.The stars were dim because of their own tears—tears unbidden, which could not be restrained. The dew was heavy on the olive leaves and on the sparse grass were crystal beads of water. For the night wept, as well as the far away stars and the very darkness seemed to gr