Alexandria

Alexandria (Al-Iskandariyya)

-1-

This narrow vein
pulses red
earth's blood
meanders through barren valleys
A surface wounded
cries dry tears
to Iskandariyya

White sails cover undercurrent
once sun-burned monoliths choke
tide provides no air for their
drowned lungs


-2-

Where does papyrus grow

How can I write
with these reeds
my ancestors' annals

Where is that land
that has my name
displaced
cast out
yesterdays and tomorrows
erased.


-3-

Merciless strangers
hewn mouths in set faces
staccato tongue
dismissive diaspora

White cotton spores blown
scattered by khamaseen (1)
lose their protective shell

They suffocate and burn
on hostile soil

***

(1) خمسين khamsīn: Hot desert wind, blowing from south to north.

***

July 23, 2017
Copyright © Darren White