Scattered—in fragments
Dispersed, taken by the four winds
To the corners of the earth—
Is my world

il-Nîl and al-Furât
Two of the world's greatest rivers,
Nourishers of civilization
Pacifiers of my soul
Symbols of two summers of life

And who can forget
Obelisks on the Seine and Thames
Or a weekend near the Mississippi
Yet: Carolinas Virginia Florida and deserts of the West
So far away from home

And here:
There is no life
Just existence;
No happiness,
Just blasé mediocrity