O Homeland

The breeze of your air,
the scent of your soil,
and the rain…

The blueness of your sky,
the glow of the little stars,
and the moon

the joyful laughter and chat

in the evening

O homeland,

The smell of the first raindrops, at dawn
our morning tea
with warm bread
fresh from the oven,
or a biscuit.

And a deep longing
for every alley
and every home.

Ah, my homeland,

My longing is an ocean
for my humble people,
for the Nile there,
for the weary ones
who endured so much,
who were patient through injustice,
who sacrificed
the best of their youth
so the homeland may live
and rise.

For the mothers
who weep tears of blood,
for every martyr
whose blood was shed
so that we may live

a freedom dyed in peace,
a justice wrapped in peace,
and a million greetings
to you, my homeland.

May your throne be civilian,
O beloved land;
may your path be civilian
There is no other word.

4 August 2019