Poetry: Ashraf AboArafe
The horizon stretched… time awoke in silence,
to the voice of the East—lofty in its presence.
And the eagles of the Giza sky called out,
in a majesty that reached the star of existence:
“O China… O secret of the cradle of life,
O breath drawn from ages of brilliance,
I am the pyramid of glory… the scroll of eternity,
the crown of ages—past and present.”
The Great Wall replied… and in its voice,
the roar of mountains, the music of strings:
“Peace be upon you… O Egypt, O beacon of radiant light,
O vast harbor of safety and grace.
I am a wall of spirit that defied the winds,
and held the fortresses with steadfast resolve.”
Here spoke the pulse of intellect,
describing peoples with honest tongues:
“The soil of Egypt declared: my people are youth,
who built with perseverance the throne of being.
Patient in labor, never weary,
they shape from clay a brilliance like gold.
And to the guest, I offer majestic respect,
sacred in silence and celebration.”
Then the cradle of Eastern civilizations responded:
“My people sanctify the labor of the hands.
When dawn arrives, they rise together,
in dignified silence and determined harmony.
We honor the young, we care for the elder,
and we bow with reverence to wisdom itself.
Persistence is our secret of eternity,
and through striving we conquer time itself.”
The two depths gloried in a moment of longing,
and the waters of tenderness began to flow.
Then the Father of the Nile spoke, proud in love,
pouring into his companion a river of crimson glow:
“I am the sweetness of spirit, the wine of the earth,
my waters are pure—healing for all souls.
Palms lean lovingly upon my banks,
and birds adore my green sanctuaries.
Within my heart dive pearls unseen,
from silver fish of radiant clarity.
Every tender branch sings my name,
and I chant my love in melodious expression.”
The Yangtze rejoiced and replied:
“Beauty has clothed you in unmatched grace,
I am the river flowing with golden life,
I flirt with blossoms of fragrant herbs,
and birds glide upon my flowing spirit.
My fish dance among silk-like waves,
and together we become a timeless melody.
Our sweetness is a story of existence itself,
our waters—the remedy of being.”
Then the Lady of Cities, Luxor, spoke,
her columns engraved in royal hue:
“The temples of the sun pray within me,
and royal processions walk my eternal path.”
Then the City Palace rose in splendor,
beneath an ancient roof of enduring gold:
“Egypt and China… two beacons of existence,
the pulse of civilization in every age.”
