where's lebanon?

within 10,452 km2,
           in the midst of 18 sects,
mentioned in the old testament 70 times,
           the white one as jeremiah puts it.
bordered by poseidon’s fortunes,
           scorched by isis and the promised land.
cultured in art,
           home of the prophet.
 
where religion is an identity
           that grants you power or poverty.
deserted by 14 million souls,
           rebounded by 2 million refugees.
functioning on 12 hours of electricity,
           setting fire to car wheels for revolutions.
 
destroyed and rebuilt 7 times
           until they called it, the phoenix.
sanctuary for 15 rivers,
           all from different mountains.
in coffee shops playing cards
           and smoking hookah.
listening to edm at night
           and fayrouz in the morning.
 
engraved in my grandfather’s mind, gifted
            to me in the form of adventurous stories.
in the memory of my beautiful grandmother
           who visits my dreams just to remind me of home.
untamed, deep in the wilderness of civilization,
           it is a rebellious teen, burning with a desire to be free.