Writings. Inspirations.
How One Burnt-Out Middle-Aged American Rejoined the Human Race while Living among the People of Egypt during their Historic Revolution
by Alfred Steven Greenberg
After the last of my grown kids left home, I suffered a heavy case of ‘empty nest’ syndrome. After much soul searching, I decided to take off again, just as I had as a young teenager, for a long sabbatical in the Middle East. In the aftermath of 9/11, I was also curious to see for myself what the Arab people and the Muslim faith were all about. I set off for Egypt, arriving mere months before the revolution that rocked the world. What happened to me while there, changed my life forever.
DREAMS FROM THE NILE
Poetry inspired while living in Egypt
by Alfred Steven Greenberg
My time in Egypt came after many seasons of frantic activity in life. Raising a large family, meeting deadlines, overseeing projects, accomplishing, striving to achieve goals- going, going, going. Being in Egypt was an invitation to switch into a different mode, to stop all my running and learn to simply ‘be’. While there, I spent an extended amount of time living in Luxor and Aswan, close to the Nile. I found that I not only drew energy and strength from the iconic river, but that it became a calming source, allowing for many deep emotions to rise and be felt, and to eventually engender a sense of peace within. In essence, I ultimately found the Soul of the Nile to be my comforter, my friend and my teacher. This collection of poems reflects the peace and healing I found in the face of such beauty and simplicity.