Three Poems on the Nile

By: Dr. Eiman Abbas El-Nour

Chess by the River

I tell you the story
You illustrate
You portray the path
I animate
Is it the same road to the river?
For two people who are not swimmers?

We sit by an abandoned boat
And play chess
I always win
You always laugh
The way back is silent
The trees look tall
And solemn
Solid, and nothing falls apart

In a low voice I start a tune
You, You are my person
My people
My journey home

Moon on the Water

I still see the vision of your bright face
The glitter of your smile
The look that says I am home
When I hold my breath
And count the stars around you

Where is my little treasure now?
Was it me who let go of your hand ?
Or were you bedazzled by the lights?
How can I find what is not lost
But no longer here?

I say a muffled prayer
I recite a calming verse
I beseech for the return of my precious moon
My peace
And the soul of my soul

River Divine

I stepped in the same river twice
I thought nothing of it
Just felt something like a mother’s embrace
And a homecoming sigh
Both times

All my friends were amazed
And kept repeating the phrase
“Same river twice?!”

I smile and say
“It came from paradise!”