Salah Jahin: In Egypt's Name

Here's an except from "In Egypt's Name," by Egyptian poet, cartoonist, and playwright Salah Jahin (Dec. 25, 1930 - April 21, 1986)

In Egypt's Name
(Ala Esm Masr)

History may say what it wishes in Egypt's name
Egypt, for me, is the most beloved and most beautiful of things.
I love her when she owns the earth, east and west.
And I love her when she is down, wounded in a battle.
I love her fiercely, gently and with modesty.
I hate her and curse her with the passion of the lovesick.
I leave her and flee down one path, and she remains in another.
She turns to find me beside her in misfortune.
My veins pulsating with a thousand tunes and rhythms.
In Egypt's name.