Egypt
Egypt has long been recognized as a land of art and civilization, primarily due to its abundant natural resources, exemplified by the Nile River. This vital waterway encouraged people to migrate and settle along its banks, fostering agriculture in its fertile lands. Egypt is renowned for its ancient relics, including the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, which are among its most significant historical sites. The country has also produced literary giants such as Ahmed Shawqi and Hafiz Ibrahim, who have made significant contributions to poetry with their diverse works.
Beautiful Poems About Egypt
Poem: Sons of Egypt
The poet Ahmed Shawqi expressed his love for Egypt in several verses, including:
O sons of Egypt, prepare your place,
Take your crowns and embrace your grace.
Haven’t you worn the crown of your first king?
On ethics and nobility, you should build your scheme.
Isn’t the Nile Valley a paradise bright?
With its flowing waters, a true delight!
We have a homeland we must protect,
And for its honor, we will not neglect.
When spirits are called to the past,
We shall give them freely, as if they didn’t last.
We are the pyramids that defy time,
In their shadows, we find our rhyme.
We are the sons of a lofty legacy,
Who taught nations their dignity.
Time has prevailed, with pride and might,
When handed down to history’s light.
We were born anew in earnest endeavor,
To make truth our highest endeavor.
Egypt, a faith worthy of greatness,
Where the cross meets the crescent in united embrace.
We stand united as one, unwavering and bold,
Seeking glory for Egypt, where peace unfolds.
Let justice reign, and kindness prevail,
In the sanctuary of our homeland, we shall not fail.
To you, we commit, O Egypt, our life’s devotion,
For in your heart, we find our emotion.
Poem: In Love with Egypt
O Egypt, your love resides deeply within my soul,
With a fragrance delightful, making me whole.
A tree with branches like our lineage,
Its enchanted scent flows through our heritage.
You stand tall, our mountain of pride,
Despite the storms, you forever abide.
You are our green sun, illuminating the way,
With no darkness here to sway.
O Egypt, land of empathy and grace,
A haven for all seeking a place.
Your visitors encounter joy and cheer,
With warmth and kindness, drawing all near.
In your embrace, there is comfort for the fearful,
Where the truth mends the once broken and hurtful.
In hardship, you have generously given,
Reaching heights previously unbidden.
O Egypt, how your heart aches from envy,
From those who are blind to your wealth, and your plenty.
Yet you forgive and embrace those afar,
Welcoming them with open arms, as they are.
O Egypt, cradle of civilization and light,
Your soil is sacred, pure, and bright.
How many times have you raised a beacon in the dark?
The venerable Al-Azhar, a guiding spark.
In you, the minarets and domes proudly rise,
Undeterred by the whispers and lies.
Such works claim no place, for their efforts are in vain,
Echoes of their deeds will soon wane.
O Egypt, land of integrity and virtue,
No matter how high the arrogant pursue.
From your generous Nile, blossoms bloom,
Despite all grievances, we will resume.
O Egypt, we are loyal, and our path is clear,
The way of the enlightened, forever sincere.
Truth is our essence, and its light will shine,
Illuminating every letter, word, and line.
Poem: We Knew Not the Alphabet
Egypt has a rich tradition of colloquial poetry, simple in language yet profound in meaning, illustrated by this poem:
We knew not the (‘A’) nor the (‘B’),
Nor have we ever seen the light,
Until your moon appeared,
An emblem of safety in the night.
People found no homeland,
You planted crops in fields wide,
Overcoming every struggle and tide,
Pay attention, O time, hear my plea!
O Egypt, the resilient land!
We knew not the (‘A’) nor the (‘B’),
If the rudder tilts,
We will adjust it with our shoulders.
Your name echoes in our voices, songs, and cheers,
O Egypt, inscribed in stone,
You have taught us justice alone.
O Egypt, your army stood strong,
Building barriers to withstand every storm,
We tire not of our journey,
Nor fret from our paddles worn.
And if the rudder tilts, we will adjust it with our force.
Selected Poetic Excerpts
When Asking About Egypt, the Matriarch of Cities
When inquiring about Egypt, the matriarch of cities,
And the depths of history and its mysteries,
The dawn rises strong in Memphis, utterly clear,
Who would dare greet the dawn with sneer?
With the grandeur from Memphis and its outskirts,
Its history is deeply rooted, with no deserts flatter.
The ages rolled by, with no eyelids closed,
Day and night come, and the time composed.
Time has never withered the efforts put forth,
Through day or night, courageous in worth.
Three centuries have passed, where spirits have thrived,
On the mighty Nile, they endlessly connived.
Donning pride like a garment, they flourished.
From every corner, they witnessed their nourish.
The earth is more skilled, contemplating all grief,
In the hands of the laborers searching for relief.
Those graves hide much from the gaze of time,
Veiled by the tales of treasures they climb.
Poem: In Nostalgia for Egypt
Poet Mohamed Sami Al-Baroudi, also known as the poet of the sword and the homeland, penned these lines inspired by deep longing for Egypt:
I heard your voice flowing into my ear,
Awakening within me the buried pain and cheer.
I cherished your love, despite the distance, O hope,
Guarding your memory in secret, with great emotional scope.
I whisper to my soul to mourn the distance,
But she remains oblivious, grasping for existence.
I planted longing, burning with its flame,
But my soul endures both worry and shame.
I strive to escape your dreams’ clutch,
Yet I am pulled back, oh, how it does touch.
You remain distant, my other half afar,
Yet my spirit yearns, always in par.
I cherish your voice, however it calls,
And the ghost of you brings joy as it falls.
You restored my memory, the place I can’t forget,
Distance can’t erase the love I beget.
A victim of your love stands firm in fight,
No changes nor woes can dim my light.
As the heart aches, it signals my return,
The flame of longing fuels the yearning I yearn.
My spirit rises to your realm of grace,
While I suffer beneath these restraints and embrace.
But O lands of my forefathers, do you still recall me?
And does the soil of my homeland know me, is it true?
How many times have I sought forgiveness in the Nile’s embrace,
And in every nook—cities, fields, and each place.
As we drifted, we bore burdens upon our backs,
Our journeys, once rich, now echo the cracks.
It is a tragedy that we dwell on its outskirts,
In a world that tickles us with trials and bluer shirts.