I saw the signs of your Islamisation without concession

But could not cry

I saw your Pyramids, your noseless Sphinx staring at me

But did not cry

I saw your veiled young women wondering who I was

But did not cry

I saw your lunatic traffic and crossed at the peril of my life

But did not cry

I saw your indestructible lions guarding that bridge so often crossed

But did not cry

I saw Groppi, à l'Américaine and my Extaday Hotel

But even then I did not cry

I saw my street, my house, its shuttered balcony

But still I did not cry

I saw the Bawab, told him I had lived there 50 years ago

But did not want to cry

I saw my empty Synagogue well guarded by numerous Shawish

Then the tears gushed forward!