Alexandria in World War II is a 'found poem' composed by Anis Shivani and published in the summer 2013 issue of The Missing Slate. It was 'found' in my Alexandria: City of Memory; that is all the words and phrases are taken directly from my book. I have only just found it myself, by chance, on the internet. It works very well, I think, and made me smile.
The Britannia Club at 26 Rue Fuad, “proof of the British ability”:
we danced with Durrell’s future friend the painter Clea Badaro
during the summer the Burg el Arab served as base for Indian troops,
the long-threatened concert party having descended in force.
We danced with Durrell’s future friend the painter Clea Badaro,
marching about in a snake dance including the band at the Excelsior,
the long-threatened concert party having descended in force.
Since spring, Geneva has thrown open her home to soldiers.
Marching about in a snake dance including the band at the Excelsior,
air raid in the middle, buffet afterwards, breakfast for sixteen.
Since spring, Geneva has thrown open her home to soldiers,
the Choremis, the Benachis, the Casullis, the Salvagos and others.
Air raid in the middle, buffet afterwards, breakfast for sixteen,
the Karam Palace became very grand, almost too grand I’m afraid.
The Choremis, the Benachis, the Casullis, the Salvagos and others
rushing about like mad, celebrating in Pastroudis, dead with Cavafy.
The Karam Palace became very grand, almost too grand I’m afraid,
the glamorous women of Alexandria founded the best reference
library.
Rushing about like mad, celebrating in Pastroudis, dead with Cavafy,
holding thirty percent of all the shares of banks and limited
companies.
The glamorous women of Alexandria founded the best reference
library,
during the summer the Burg el Arab served as base for Indian troops.
Holding thirty percent of all the shares of banks and limited
companies,
the Britannia Club at 26 Rue Fuad, “proof of the British ability.”