Arrival in Amman

I am finally in Amman

After borders of two

Israel and Jordan

Having crossed on a long, long tour

This is more than coming back

More than a feeling

More than the once experienced

world: so unique and relieving

With Arabic music on streets

With someone saying so sweet:

Mozza, habibi, gamila (1),

And I laugh: aiwa, ana Masreya, Masreya, Masreya (2)!

Amman looks so live at night

The city – illuminated

My mind – tired, oh, so tired but

Fascinated

I see it from the window of a taxi

I smell it through the fumes of driver’s smoke

His long-sleeved shirt, white and neat

He smokes three cigarettes with an ease

I would normally shout

But today I allow

We pass the wedding

And hear people cheering

I am longing for the morning

To hear the prayer calling

And I want to say salam alekoum

To everyone I meet

Look! A man with a donkey

Walking on a street

Look! An old, old lady

Welcoming us with a cup of tea

Oh, Amman, oh Amman

In the gardens of Allah

You gift me with 10 days

To find my own ways:

To embrace every plant

and kiss desert sand

You make my soul sing,

And my body spring

I am yours, oh Jordan,

I am yours!

With my slightest shivers,

With my deepest thoughts.

(1) Beauty, my love, beautiful

(2) Yes, I am Egyptian, Egyptian, Egyptian (meaning: I was living in Egypt, I know some Arabic; and this reminds me of my Egypt times)