night boat to cairo

it's just gone noon

half past monsoon

on the banks of the river nile

here comes the boat

only half-afloat

oarsman grins a toothless smile

only just one more

to this desolate shore

last boat along the river nile

doesn't seem to care

no more wind in his hair

as he reaches his last half mile

the oar snaps in his hand

before he reaches dry land

but the sound doesn't deafen his smile

just pokes at wet sand

with an oar in his hand

floats off down the river nile

floats off down the river nile