THIS LAND

This land of sun, sand and sweat,
This land that tries to beat you yet,
This land of GHQ and Canal,
This land is the worst I have ever met.

This land of Delta and of Nile,
This land of pyramidal pile,
This land of king and beggar boy,
This land whose system makes you smile.

This land that Pharaohs once ruled,
This land that Turkey, France and Britain schooled,
This land of two hours ahead,
This land of beer that’s better cooled.

This land of nights too hot for sleep,
This land where prices, first, are steep,
This land of itinerant peanut vendors,
This land where dust storms make you weep.

This land of “Jock McGregor” bazaars,
This land of sleek American cars,
This land of shai, Assis and Stella,
This land of pokey Coca Cola bars.

This land of Farouk, Nahas and W.O.G.
This land of howling, whining, mad pi-dog,
This land of C.I. roofed and mud walled shack,
This land where sand your camera will clog.

This land is Egypt, far away,
This land of Regulars three year stay,
This land of Fayid and Moascar garrison
This land I hope to leave some day.

*Nahas = an Egyptian politician

Murray Brazier ex: R.E. CE Branch GHQ