This photo was originally posted on January 25 by Nevine Zaki, and went viral. Here it has been cropped and the circle of protection is photoshopped. It is a moment to dwell on. Cairo, where the factions joined  with the intention of a pro-Democracy outcome. Coptic Christians and Muslims have been part of the same family since Mariya-the-Copt gave birth to a son, Ibrahim on January 24, 632. His father was Prophet Muhammad. Ibrahim lived for almost 2 years, joining the two families.

It is moments like this that give hope as the old order in the Middle East feels increasing pressure from the youth and unemployed.

The Cork ~ by Tamam Kahn

The Arab world is

a fist on the cork

of the bottle.

The young twist, yank at the cork

make small popping sounds

anticipating the foamy spillage

– like Egypt and Tunisia –

dangerous and heady,

street blood and libation

mixed,

while each regime

grips

the neck,

towel

over cork

hold-

ing

on for dear life,

looking

with dread

at TV mobs

as each country’s unemployed

shake the bottle. Shake and shake.

Youth on facebook, in the square;

they press thumbs against

the small cylinder

as voices rise.

Everyone knows – God knows –

drinking bubbly is forbidden

in Arab countries.  <>   <>

 

<> May the people of Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan,  and other places of unrest be safe! <>