The United Arab Emirates You Don’t See…

…Everyday

It’s never grey on days like these,

All smiles and gentle bullfights by the beach.

Imams deep in thought,

Wonder what verse at Maghreb I’ll preach.

Old forts, red earth,

A fat sun slipping into the past.

Contented soul in his Saturday best,

This is not my first, nor will it be my last.

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Chaise lounge in a parking lot,

A face that reads ‘I do what I’m told.’

Ah, the pull of faith.

Who can resist the call of the minaret?

Least of all him,

Knowing it’s not dark yet.

Sharwal Kameez, the sunset’s on fire.

Silhouettes gathered on a broken hill.

Nowhere is right here,

Where the air is still.

The best lack all conviction, while the worst   

Are full of passionate intensity.

I lord over all below and above,

Behold not you but me.

Faces from everywhere and no man’s land.

Bound is the man who’ll forever roam.

No such thing as a free lunch,

Betrayed is the dog without a home.

What is this quintessence of dust?

Man delights not me, except this guy here.

There’s gonna be a rumble today,

But we’re only butting heads, so have no fear.

Silly mid-off, this game leaves me stumped.

It’s just not cricket, in this world it’s all they’ve got.

An armada of tankers weigh anchor and enter,

An ocean deep in thought.

All ®ights ®eserved. Trespasserine