February 09, 2007

Literally living in a Box

Cairo: Taken on my recent trip to the "mother of the world". I stopped as I saw Ahmad arranging his bottles in his makeshift home.

-"Can I take your picture please?" I asked him.
-"My picture? But why? You know you can get into trouble for that. The authority doesn't want scenes like this to be spread around the world."

As odd as it was the he lived in a box, what was even more remarkable was his resigned attitude towards his situation. He didn't ask for a penny although he was clearly in need. What do you say to a man like that?

To the Egyptian authorities however I would like to say, "3eib 3aleykom". (Shame on you)

4 comments:

Destitute Rebel said...

Great post SS. the world is full of poverty and misery and there is not much help for most of the people out there trying to survive. In every situation whether its poverty, war, hunger or anything else of extreme for that matter, there comes a time when most people say, enough is enough I can't keep fighting anymore, maybe thats why he was so resigned.

Shaykhspeara Sha'ira said...

Maybe D Reb. Still it was powerful meeting him. I felt quite small somehow.

EXSENO said...

Bless you for that. My heart breaks for the homeless everywhere.

Shaykhspeara Sha'ira said...

I know what you mean...