When I was young
I saw thousands of cultures pass through
Trading spices and goods
For gold
The Romans were here
Egyptians and Babylonians
Bedouins and Syriacs
Arabs and Persians
Turks and Greeks
All passed through my gates
Every people of every nation
Welcomed with grace
Offerings and feasts
And then the paths turned
The journeys stopped
The visitors left
And I slept
For I am ancient
But I will wake
In a future time
When the world is ready
For oblivion end
For I am Palmyra
And I will return
