I’m Supposed to Use these Maps as a Prompt (by Ahmed Teleb)

 

Another writing exercise. Just another Monday night. We’re supposed to use these printed computer maps of “Beacon Hills” from various American cities.

What about the Revolution? What about the streets I began to grow up on? My grandfather liked to walk—a lot. He and I would walk all over the city when I was eight, when I was eleven, mostly east to west and back.

Tahrir (Liberation), Ramses, Mirghani

Mirghani, the Girls’ College, Alhorriyya (Freedom)

Alhorriyya, Omar Ibn Alkhhattab, Aabas Alaaqad

Aabas Alaaqad, Alaarooba (Arabism), Sixth of October,

Sixth of October, Salah Salem, Aabasia,

Aabasia, Ramses, Tahrir,

The Girls’ College, Oman Ibn Alkhattab, Horriyya, Heliopolis,

Masr Algadida (New Egypt), Aabas Alaaqad, the Citadel,

6^th of October, 23^rd of July, 1^st of February?

Our family, my aunts, my uncle, my parents, would call us crazy

resigned, in agony

hurt, heart-broken

unhappy, afraid

cautious, frantic

longing, desiring

envious, ashamed

guilty, guilty

insecure, overwhelmed

agitated, reluctant

resistant, alarmed

skeptical, incredulous

surprised, surprised

exhausted, weary

arrogant and grouchy

prickly, concerned

cross, enraged

turbulent, confused

uncertain, in pain

elated, excited

jubilant, overjoyed

ecstatic, in cheer

contented, good-humored

absorbed yet relieved

eager, invigorated

curious, amazed

proud, expectant

playful, upbeat

Tahrir means Liberation

Ramses another Page

I grew up on the corner of Althawra (The Revolution), Alhorriyya (Freedom), and Almirghani (Who was he anyway? An Italian?), around the corner from the Girls’ College.  Is that why I’ve always been so rebellious and subversive? Is that why reading those Constitutional Law cases in law school made me so sick to my stomach?

I checked-in with Cairo, as I’ve done every day this week, they say they’re fine.

They feel safe enough, they say, to walk in the March of a Million the next day.

I checked-in with Cairo, as I’ve done every day this week, they say they’re ok.

My uncle wouldn’t drive them across town East to West to Liberation Square.

I checked-in with Cairo, as I’ve done every day this week,

as I’ve never done before, to this day.

They say the government’s hired goons

from among the bored tourist-predators,

the guys who drive camels and even take pictures,

and from among the unpaid police officers.

They say the government’s paying salaries

only to those who take part in Pro-Regime demonstrations,

and that Aljazeera reporters are fair play.

I checked-in with Cairo today, they say they’re going back to Saudi Arabia before it gets any worse, and before flights are cancelled. They tell me, “there’s one advantage to living near the airport.” I know. I’ve lived near airports all my life too. I say.

This Post Was Composed on January 31, 2011 by Ahmed Teleb