Cairo Eats the Soul

Slowly, torturously

Cairo Eats the Soul

All-Abrasive 

to eye, ear, smell, don't touch

Dust, exhaust, shouts, screams,

horns, harassment, tired pleas

Daily assaults, daily high-defences

Invasions of lung and temper

I ask for kindness. I ask for hope.

She ignores me, disappoints me
Continues her clamour

Hurtling towards her apparent goal:

Destruction of the Human Soul.