A Time To Talk

I went to Egypt to see the Nile,

and those it sustains.

But along the way I met Nubians, not just a people found in history books, but real people,

people who laugh,

who teach,

and who share.

I went to Egypt to sail on a feluca,

to feel the wind in my face.

But along the way, I met Waled,

Khaled,

and Bebo,

and broke bread with them.

I went to Egypt to see Luxor,

the sunrise,

the tombs,

and the desert.

But along the way, I met two brothers,

Mohammed,

Hani,

and Tayip.

I went to Cairo

to see the Museum,

the Mosques,

and the Pyramids.

But along the way I met Walid,

Gammon,

and Mohamed.

All along the way were chance meetings.  It was my good fortune that those meetings turned to conversations.  That we took the time to talk.

When a friend calls to me from the road

And slows his horse to a meaning walk,

I don’t stand still and look around

On all the hills I haven’t hoed,

And shout from where I am,

'What is it?’

No, not as there is a time to talk.

I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,

Blade-end up and five feet tall,

And plod

I go up to the stone wall

For a friendly visit.

- Robert Frost

It was like that.