The bridge burns in the pale afternoon
The road spans the warm river
dividing the tribes of Judah and Efraim,
between Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe, Menasshe.
Among Eucalyptus and palm trees,
Thorny Acacia, orange and lemon trees,
Along the polished stones of the river, the papyrus
Carries Avdalla to the land of Ammon.
The Bailey bridge, the bridge, the bridge
between the green banks of the river
but what are these shots, and what is the meaning
of (all) the deep trenches (for machine gun fire)?
(x2)
The bridge burns and noonday flies
thickly swarm in the room of the hut.
Avdalla waits in line for his turn
Wearing an English shirt or a coat of many colors.
The heat is exhausting.
Lazily the customs clerk checks from top to bottom.
A hundred drivers meanwhile are smoking
Farid and El Al cigarettes.
The Bailey bridge, the bridge, the bridge...
A transistor is playing a song in the background
a soldier moves to the beat of the jazz.
Avdalla Efendi arrived from Mecca,
the holy city in the land of Hijaz.
Avdalla will go to Aram Naharaim
Avdalla will wander onwards to Kuwait.
The bridge burns in the pale afternoon
they come and go and come, the cousins.
The Bailey bridge, the bridge, the bridge... |
