In eighteen hundred seventy-two, one day,
A girl in New York’s streets, lost, made her way.

With clothes of mud, she spoke in French, distressed,
The crowd did try, yet none her mind addressed.

Her memory was gone, she knew no name,
A soul adrift in grief and silent shame.

A charity, French-born, helped her regain,
Her health, her past, and eased her heavy pain.

The daughter of a man of great renown,
Victor Hugo, whose fame had spread through town.

Her tale would break her father’s heart in two,
As she, for fifteen years, in exile grew.

Beside him on an isle so far from home,
They shared their days beneath the British dome.

But love misled her fragile heart’s pure core,
For Alfred, whom she followed shore to shore.

A British soldier, cruel, with heart untrue,
She crossed the seas for him, but sorrow grew.

In Nova Scotia’s lands, she chased his flight,
He drained her wealth, then vanished from her sight.

With no one left, no friend nor coin to hold,
She wandered, broke, in New York’s streets, so cold.

Returned to France, her spirit crushed and low,
Her silent vow from lips no word would flow.

For forty years, from heartache never free,
She spoke no more—no sound, no voice, no plea.

Her father tried to mend her shattered will,
But silence ruled her days, her nights grew still.

Her record stands, the longest silent vow,
In human lore, no voice will break it now.

Beware, O man, the hearts that break in pain,
For shattered souls may never speak again.

In Egypt's land, my heart forever lies,
Beneath the sun that paints the golden skies.

Where Nile flows gently, ancient stories tell,
Of pharaohs, pyramids, and desert's spell.

The pyramids stand proud in desert sand,
Great monuments that time could not withstand.

In Cairo's streets, the bustling life unfolds,
With markets bright, where history is sold.

The Sphinx's gaze looks out across the land,
Guarding secrets in the shifting sand.

Luxor's temples whisper of the past,
Where echoes of the gods forever last.

The Red Sea sparkles, blue and pure and grand,
Its coral reefs like jewels on the sand.

The date palms sway where gentle breezes blow,
O'er fields of green where ancient waters flow.

From Alexandria's shores to Aswan's light,
My Egypt shines, a beacon in the night.

Her beauty and her grace forever stay,
In hearts of those who wander far away.

Oh, Egypt, land of timeless, wondrous lore,
In your embrace, I find my soul's deep core.

A land of dreams where ancient meets the new,
My beloved Egypt, to you I’m ever true.

Long have I yearned for you, beloved of my life,
My darkened sky awaits you, my moon, my strife.
I loved you, and you've seized my heart, fate's decree,
Your lovely eyes engraved in mine, eternally free.

The darkness in my heart ends, you're my dawn, my morrow,
Come close, quench my fire, ease my pain, my sorrow.
Have mercy on my longing, my endless night,
I chose your eyes to be my path, my guiding light.

To reach your beautiful heart, I beseeched the Most High,
Do not stray, my dearest, cause my despair to sigh.
In life's desert, you're my shadows, my trees,
I long to see you always, even when you're at ease.

I cannot bear distance, nor can I endure patience,
You said I was created not for tranquilations.
Created to be amidst the winds, a part,
I've never known happiness, only darkness in my heart.

You said sadness is my constant, as if it's my fate,
As if within my heart, there's a piercing state.
I love you, yet my heart bleeds, a silent plea,
I love you, yet fear the wrath that may be.

I love you, yet I can't hide what's within,
You're my family, my kin, in a world so mean.
I cannot stray from you, my love, nor do I want to,
You're my mind, my essence, my spirit anew.

I told her, I don't want to see your tears anymore,
Life's not just sorrows, it has much more in store.
Your tears are but fire, burning, a deep wound,
I love you, I cannot hide this love so profound.

She said, I won't forget you, my love stands strong,
Stronger than the passing days, it belongs.
I fear for this love amidst all worldly affairs,
My mind denies, but my heart declares.

She said, I can't be angry at you, my love,
I can't, even if it brings darkness from above.
She said, there's no beauty in this life we lead,
Death alone can grant me peace, indeed.

I said, no matter how harsh life's plight may seem,
There's always tender feelings within the stream.
We may feel sadness, at times, it's true,
But we shouldn't dwell in pain, it's not what we're due.

Life's beautiful despite its wounds and sorrow,
Even in the longest night, there's a brighter morrow.
There must be thorns for the roses to bloom,
Daylight follows the darkest night's gloom.

Life's always beautiful with the beloved near,
No wound too deep without love to steer.
She said, without you, I'm a body without a soul,
My heart, without you, is an empty hole.

Will we remain together, destiny's decree?
Will we find more than death's inevitable spree?

Return to me, oh dearest of my life's delight,
Have mercy on my saddened heart, end my plight.

Do not ignite my sorrow, my endless woe,
Draw close to me, lessen my torment's flow.

How could I forsake you, abandon my existence?
You are all I wish for, my tears and persistence.

Nothing shall part us, not even death's decree,
Distance from you was my first calamity.

Our separation sheds my blood and tears anew,
Where can I flee, when you're my sky and my view?

You are all I desire in this worldly domain,
Do not stray, cause me more longing and pain.

Distance from you was my most bitter choice,
Yet returning to your embrace makes me rejoice.

Why do you distance your beloved eyes from mine?
Approaching you was all my heart did pine.

Gazing into your lovely eyes, my sole care,
Your sweet breath, my life, still fills the air.

You've taken your heart and eyes far from me,
Robbing me of all wealth, can't you see?

How do ships sail in your sea without a guide?
Away from your warmth, my nights grow wide.

I no longer see your cheeks, where have my roses gone?
When will this separation end, when will my moan?

When will your beautiful face illuminate my skies?
Who but you can soothe my heart, hush my cries?

Your love in my heart bore abundant fruit,
Your warm breath comforted, nights acute.

My pen wrote of your eyes, inspiring my words anew,
You were always the faithful beloved in dreams I pursue.

When will I reclaim the beauty of my days and the heroine of my tales?
Your beautiful eyes were my hope, return to me, let time unveil.

Still beats within my ribs a tender heart's tune,
A heart that loves you and loves the universe's boon.
Did God create in your face a radiant moon?
Yet, each time I see it, it turns into stone, maroon.

In your presence, I see nothing but your grace,
Within me echoes a word, "I love you," in every space.
I never knew the meaning of this feeling, alas,
Now I burn with love, seeking the world's pardon en masse.

Love I found in the deep sea of your eyes so bright,
I cannot escape its depths, O my angelic light.
The deeper I dive, the more love and passion I find,
As if I am burdened with a mountain in my mind.

A sea of love overflows from your captivating gaze,
I pray to God to keep you in His divine embrace.
Be gentle with me, for I can't bear this fervent dream,
Grant me strength to endure the weight of this extreme.

Would you repeat to me what my eyes and ears fail to hear?
And reassure me that it's not a dream, allay my fear.
I love you, I love you, my lips repeat a thousand times,
Don't be surprised, for from the unbelievers, love climbs.

It's your beauty, my beloved, that unveiled love's truth,
In your eyes, the tender feelings find their veracious booth.
In your eyes, the sea of darkness finds its rest,
Be gentle with my heart, be gentle with my quest.

For you, my heart understands the meaning of its beat,
It yields love, loyalty, and tenderness so sweet.
With a word from you, I am forever alive,
With a word from you, the full moon does thrive.

With a word from you, my tears transform into laughter,
And my heart melts, and my ribs part thereafter.
I hear the echo of your heart's beat in my soul's domain,
Don't ask how the world fares without you, in my joy and pain.

Your love's tempestuous winds have swept me away,
So pity me, for I belong to your love, come what may.
I came to you to hide from life's fears so dire,
As if torn apart, I said, "I love you," when your heart did inquire.

From you, I found more than love or mere admiration,
Before your lips utter, wounds and dreams find liberation.
Come closer, and wipe away the pain and sorrow,
Come closer, for in you, I see no tomorrow.

Come closer, I don't want to remember who I used to be,
For I've achieved the dream, I've achieved the fantasy.
Come closer, the closer you get, the nearer I come,
Don't ask how I survive without you, I've already won.

Come closer and hold me tight, come close to me,
So I forget the taste of sadness and misery.
Come closer, don't leave me, come ever near,
Come closer and don't forsake me, my dear.

Come closer, I want to hear the silence of your lips,
Don't ignore my heart, which to you, in longing, flips.
My feelings rush towards you like flowing waters grand,
How can I halt them, stirred by winds so wild and unplanned?

Was I alive before this moment, I wonder aloud,
Or was time harsh, with its heavy, relentless shroud?
Since I saw you, I gained a sense of being,
Together forever, I pray, in the All-Seeing.

How swiftly the times change their tune,
The evening turns lovely from a harsh, cold moon.
You gave my heart its life and song anew,
And it forgets all the pain it once knew.

No matter how many times I say "I love you" it's not enough,
No matter how far I gaze, my eyes reveal love's tough.
Your love shone upon me, a gleam of light so pure,
Like an oasis amidst the deepest, darkest moor.

Your love appeared like the dawn breaking the night,
It illuminated the wilderness with goodness, bright.
Come closer, I want to feel happiness and bliss,
Come closer, you're all life is, all my wish.

In innocence, I come to you, as a child,
To parents dear, from battles wild,

From weariness and toil, I've tread,
From nights so dark, where rest had fled.

I come to you, from wandering's plight,
Seeking refuge in your sight,

As people find their way back home,
My path to you, in heart's roam.

And still your face, in absence strong,
Remains my solace, all along.

When she left me, silence took her place,
My heart is empty, aching for her grace.

Her absence casts a shadow over day,
In loneliness, I yearn for her to stay.

She filled my life with joy and tender light,
Now darkness comes with every lonely night.

I hope she'll hear the whispers of my plea,
And feel the love that still remains for me.

No one on earth will care for her like I,
My heart is bound to her until I die.

I'll wait for her, through every storm and test,
Till my last breath, she'll be the one I quest.

Her touch, her smile, her voice so soft and dear,
Are memories I hold when she is near.

Though parted now, our love will never cease,
I'll keep the faith and seek her in my peace.

In dreams she'll find me, longing for her touch,
Until she's in my arms again, I’ll clutch.

In December's chill, in '45's embrace,
Born Abdallah, with a humble grace.

Ezbet Seedy Ragab, his village small,
El Monofia's heart, he answered the call.

Four brothers, two sisters, poverty's hand,
In grade six, he left school, had to work the land.

A farmer by dawn, self-taught by night,
His Arabic script, a beautiful sight.

At twenty, he chose a soldier's life,
In '65, he joined the strife.

Through wars he fought, from youth to old,
An officer's tale, a heart so bold.

In '70, wed my mother dear,
Seven children blessed their years.

He sacrificed, so we might gain,
The education, his dream's refrain.

Justice, patience, punctuality instilled,
Good behavior, his lessons fulfilled.

He wanted naught, but for us to soar,
To achieve his dreams, to be something more.

Kidney failure claimed him in '21,
A hero's journey, now was done.

Yet in my heart, he lives each day,
His memory, in every way.

Rest in peace, dear father, in heaven's light,
Until we meet again, in paradise bright.

We age not when our birthdays come and go,
Nor when our heads with gray begin to show.

We age not when our teeth begin to flee,
Nor when our eyes need glasses just to see.

But when a loved one’s taken by the night,
We age, for loss brings sorrow into light.

We age when ears crave words of love’s embrace,
When autumn winds strip friendships from their place.

We age when we must feign a joyful grin,
While knowing well the end is closing in.

We age when days and nights pass all alone,
Without a friend to share our simple tone.

We age when hearts grow weary with their strain,
For that is when true age begins to reign.

With age, the silver threads weave through our hair,
And lines of wisdom show a life that’s fair.

Our steps grow slower, yet our hearts beat strong,
In memories, we find where we belong.

Each wrinkle tells a story, bold and bright,
Of days now past, of love, and youthful light.

Though sight may dim and hearing fade away,
Our inner vision sharpens, clear as day.

We cherish every dawn and setting sun,
For life’s sweet race is nearly run.

The strength of youth may slowly ebb and wane,
But peace of mind and joy we still retain.

In every laugh, a thousand echoes ring,
Of all the joy and sorrow life did bring.

With every tear, a well of wisdom grows,
For through life’s trials, true understanding flows.

The years bestow a grace that youth can’t see,
A gentle heart, a spirit wild and free.

And though our bodies tire and days grow cold,
Our souls remain forever young and bold.

With age, we learn to value simple things,
The warmth of love, the hope a new day brings.

In twilight’s glow, we find a quiet peace,
As life’s long journey softly finds its cease.

So let us age with dignity and pride,
For in our hearts, eternal youth resides.

In Africa, when life begins anew,
It's scored a goal, you're down one-two.

Without good schooling, here's goal number two,
If parents poor, then four-nil looms for you.

On this harsh field, there's but one game to play,
To strive for equal ground each passing day.

Welcome to Africa, where struggle's rife,
And daily battles mark the course of life.

Some people you meet just once, but in your heart they stay,
While others, every time you see, seem strangers day by day.

Some take, and others leave behind, a part or piece of you,
And some, with fleeting hours shared, leave memories deep and true.

Some friendships only bring you pain, though brief they seem to last,
And others, though just days apart, feel like the world has passed.

For things, some people sell their souls, without a second thought,
And some would trade away their years for moments dearly sought.

Some eyes reflect a pure embrace, like rivers calm and clear,
While others seem like distant lands, where kindness won't appear.

Some eyes are filled with quiet grief, some warm like hearth and home,
And some can pierce into your soul, though they've not stayed or roamed.

Some people glow in colors bright, while others hide their pain,
Some live in black and white, while others just seek shelter from the rain.

And those you trust the most, it seems, can hurt you deep within,
Yet, when you're far from them, with ease, they lift you from your sin.

In twilight's sorrow, shadows start to creep,
My heart's lament, a dirge for dreams to keep.

As stars cascade, in the vast expanse above,
I mourn the loss of our once-binding love.

Each night I search the heavens for a sign,
A glimmer of hope in this bleak design.

But silence reigns, a cruel and callous jest,
In solitude, my soul becomes unrest.

The echo of your laughter haunts my days,
A ghostly presence in life's tangled maze.

Memories like shards, they pierce and they rend,
In the shattered remains, my heart does bend.

The void you left, an abyss of despair,
In its depths, I find no solace, no repair.

Was I but a fleeting shadow in your light,
Lost in the darkness of this endless night?

Questions unanswered, linger in the air,
A silent plea, a whispered, desperate prayer.

Do you feel the ache of this separation,
Or am I condemned to this desolation?

The bonds we forged, now fractured and torn,
Left adrift, in the tempest, I am worn.

In solitude's embrace, I bear the weight,
Of love's cruel twist, of our bitter fate.

Yet still, a flicker of hope remains,
A beacon in the darkness, amidst the chains.

For in the depths of despair, I find grace,
A glimmer of light in this desolate place.

Though you may never return, my love,
I'll carry your memory to the stars above.

For in the echoes of our once-shared song,
I find the strength to carry on, though you're gone.

I sought the door of hope while people slept in peace,
And now I complain to my Lord for I find no release.

I said, "O my hope in every difficulty,
To You, who I rely upon to relieve my misery.

I complain to You of matters You already know,
I have neither the patience nor the strength to bear them, although.

I have stretched out my hands in humility and need,
To You, O best of those to whom hands are stretched indeed.

So do not disappoint them, O Lord, in vain,
For the sea of Your generosity quenches all who seek its gain.

When hardships advance with their armies near,
And life, after joy, inflicts its painful spear,

Do not seek a thing from brother or friend,
Have you not seen your shadow walk with you till the end?

So raise your hands towards the sky above,
To the Lord, when you call, He never fails to love.

Medusa's tale from myths of ancient days,
Is known for fearsome snakes and stony gaze.

Yet hidden truths lie deep within her past,
A victim's plight, in shadows long to last.

Once fair of face, a mortal 'mongst her kin,
Her sisters were of Gorgon’s beastly spin.

But she alone, of human form was blessed,
Until her fate by tragic gods addressed.

The poet Ovid told of her cruel plight,
In Athena’s temple, by Poseidon’s might.

The sea god’s lust, a crime beyond her will,
Yet for this wrong, she bore the goddess' ill.

Athena cursed the victim, not the foe,
With writhing snakes where locks once used to flow.

Her gaze, a force that turned all men to stone,
Condemned to live her days in fear alone.

Perseus sought her head at king's command,
With gifts from gods, a shield within his hand.

He cut her down, her power met its end,
But from her neck, her children did descend.

Pegasus, the winged horse, and giant bold,
Were born of ****, a tale of sorrow told.

Though myths recount Medusa’s monstrous fame,
Her only fault—her beauty was her shame.

In truth, the monster was not her but fate,
For gods, not men, had sealed her tragic state.

The victim of a crime, she bore the blame,
Yet history recalls her with disdain.

In Egypt's golden sands where Nile streams flow,
I danced with time, where ancient echoes grow.

The call to prayer at dawn, the pyramids' grace,
Home's warm embrace, a familiar place.

In Saudi’s desert, where the sun's fierce light,
Painted the dunes with a crimson sight.

The whispers of the wind in the silent night,
Guided my heart to peace, pure and bright.

Germany's streets, where history's layers lie,
Castles and rivers under a cloudy sky.

A land of poets, where every word takes flight,
Inspiring dreams in the soft moonlight.

Turkey's bazaar, where colors intertwine,
Between East and West, where cultures align.

The scent of spices, the warmth of tea,
In Istanbul's heart, I found a part of me.

The USA, a land both vast and free,
Where dreams are born in the land of liberty.

From city lights to forests wide,
I walked with hope, with the stars as my guide.

Each place a chapter in the book of my past,
Memories like jewels, forever to last.

With simple joys, in each land I found,
A piece of my soul on sacred ground.

When my beloved feels sad, the skies turn gray,
The sun hides its face, and joy fades away.

Stars lose their sparkle, and the moon won’t gleam,
Her sorrow clouds the world, a silent dream.

But when she smiles, the universe comes alive,
The sun beams brightly, and the stars revive.

Birds sing sweet songs, and the rain gently falls,
Nature dances in joy, answering her calls.

Her happiness brings light to every place,
A glow that shines upon her radiant face.

The flowers bloom with colors bold and bright,
And every heart is filled with pure delight.

Her laughter echoes through the trees and skies,
A melody that lifts all spirits high.

When she feels joy, the whole world seems to know,
In her delight, all living things do grow.

So, when my beloved feels happy and free,
The universe smiles, just as it should be.

Her bliss makes the earth and heavens rejoice,
All nature sings with one harmonious voice.

In night's embrace, her long black hair weaves,
A tender darkness where my heart believes.

Her eyes, like stars, illuminate my way,
Dispelling shadows, turning night to day.

Her smile, a charm that captivates my soul,
A beacon bright, a light that makes me whole.

Her gentle touch, a spark that brings me life,
Reviving me, dispelling all my strife.

Her skin, like snow, so pure in winter's chill,
A canvas white, a beauty standing still.

Her hug, a warmth that melts the coldest night,
In her embrace, I find my heart's delight.

Her happiness transforms the world anew,
A brighter place, a sky of azure hue.

Yet when she’s sad, the sun no longer shines,
The universe mourns, dark clouds draw their lines.

Her lips, like honey, sweet and purest gold,
A taste of heaven, stories yet untold.

With her, forever is my heart's desire,
A love so deep, an ever-burning fire.

My life's too short to give her all her due,
Yet every moment, I'll make dreams come true.

Together, we'll create a world so bright,
With love that dances in the soft moonlight.

How strange it seems that still my heart should yearn,
For those beside me, whom I seek, and spurn.

I ask of them from those who cross my sight,
Though they walk with me, like shadows in the light.

My eyes pursue them, though they're close at hand,
As if their nearness slips like grains of sand.

They dwell within the blackness of my eyes,
Yet still, in longing, every heartbeat sighs.

My heart aches for them, though they're near to stay,
So close to my ribs, yet they drift away.

In every breath, their absence burns anew,
They are my presence, yet I bid adieu.

What spell bewitches so the soul to pine,
For company that's here, yet lost in time?

Within my core, their essence does reside,
Yet longing forms, an ache I cannot hide.

Strange fate! To feel such yearning’s endless plight,
To hold them close, yet miss them out of sight.

For though their presence graces my embrace,
My soul still chases what it cannot trace.

In Africa, when life begins anew,
It's scored a goal, you're down one-two.

Without good schooling, here's goal number two,
If parents poor, then four-nil looms for you.

On this harsh field, there's but one game to play,
To strive for equal ground each passing day.

Welcome to Africa, where struggle's rife,
And daily battles mark the course of life.

Through trials fierce, the world did test my soul,
Denied me joy that others find as whole.

Life stood against me, fierce and ever cold,
And burdens deep on fragile shoulders rolled.

I’ve seen betrayal, hate, and envy’s fire,
Yet still, I stand, though weary and so dire.

With strength unbending, though my choices failed,
I fought for kindness, though none prevailed.

Each hope I breathed, life crushed with ruthless hand,
But I press on, though storms don’t heed my stand.

I pray for peace, for rest in days to come,
For blessings true to ease what I've become.