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Cairo Zoo in the mid-March Heat

Stumbling and confusion at the gates
Green paint cracked and forlorn
We stand outside, in awe
of the crazy, greedy atmosphere
That is 'the Egyptian way'

On walking through, their heads begin to turn
They laugh and point.

Shrugging it off we walk the spiral path
Being followed in gangs.
I feel their eyes stinging
My hackles.

Threatening now; the shouts from
Razor-sharp tongues
They hiss and spit and cry 'baksheesh, baksheesh!'
Children begging laughing smug

It seems we're good for a pound
Or two.

The animal's worst – packed twelve to a cage
A depressing sight
I pray for tonight.