Morning In the Village, Part 3

Here comes Abdul-Gafoor; Tall, strong and bare-chest. He will soon cross the Nile; To Mahmoud’s Island, to Mahmoud’s “saqia” (water-lifting wheel). He will work all day; Watering and planting and harvesting. Corn and wheat, tomatoes and cucumbers. He will return in the evening; With fruits, vegetables and milk. His milk customers will be waiting: Moslab and Dirar and “Sheik Al-Arab.” --------- A “dahash” (baby-donkey) running; To catch up with his mother. Cows eating “tibin” (dry grass); Their tails wave away flies and mosquitoes. A raging bull tied to a tree; Bellowing, kicking and digging dirt. Goats herded towards the Nile; Plenty of grass. --------- Morning in the village; “Hai ala alsalah” (time to pray), then “hai ala alfalah” (time to work). Except Wali, in his eighties; Wali carries a huge Koran all day. In the mosque, by the Nile, under the trees, back to the mosque, by the Nile, under the trees, back to the mosque. All day, “hai ala alsalah.” --------------------------- (End),