Haroun Habib, Gabr Fellow. June 17th 2013

“Graffiti-ed dreams of change from a revolution not yet fully realized
Scattered around the city of 1000 minarets,
Layers of history wrapped within papyrus scrolls,
The enduring genius of the first civilization on display at Giza,
Still as transfixing as the Sphinx.

Walking in Alexandria, I saw Saeed's “Girl with the Brown Eyes,”
And in a reverie, I lost myself in the tresses of her,
Long, flowing, black hair that seemed to trace the length of the Cornish
Next to waters that hide an underwater city.
Soft sands, a metropolis echoing the Greeks and Romans,
An ideal atmosphere to create sumptuous, timeless art.
For as Fahmy said, “Artists are romantics
And romantics are the dreamers.”

I awoke in historic Luxor, to be amazed at the sight
Of the Valley of the Kings and Queens,
Preserved, majestic palaces and colorful temples
Where through sound and light,
I reimagined Tutankhamen, Nefertiti, and Hatshepsut
And perhaps, from looking at the ancient past,
Foresee a glorious future.

Misr, seen through foreign eyes,
What happens when East meets West?
And 22 young leaders are called upon under the vision of Gabr?
Dialogue, understanding, fellowship, and action.
Perhaps, it is they who will create a vision of the future benefiting both locales
A movement as beautiful as Gérôme and Dinet’s.”