Mummy

The definitions in Author's Note are brief and plagiarized from various sources .. Egyptian Culture and Ancient Beliefs are far more complex; oversimplifying is not my intention ;)

Mummy

Honest brutality in this dying.

Would you agree?

Reapers cutting edge dissecting 

Mowing lineage with glee.

Ka

Fruitful symbiosis ensconced on

meaty walls entombed.

Seedling treasures imploring

from the tomb

Ba

packaging an empty shell

imploring selfish need

obstructed by the greedy

ignoring innocent seed

Akh

highest of all attainment

living justly before the Hall

my life, my body and 

most of all My Soul

Mummy

Mummy wrapped spices beleaguer 

Disembodied heart and liver

Frees the dead                alive

relegating for profit ...another fetus shivers

E.

Author's Note

Ptah-Ptah is the Creator god par excellence: He is considered the demiurge who existed before all other things, and by his willfulness, thought the world into being.
Egyptian soul ka: the spiritual part of an individual human being or god, which survived (with the soul) after death and could reside in a statue of the person.
ba: spiritual entity; the part of the soul that could travel between the worlds of the living and the dead; has need for food etc.
akh: the transfigured spirit that survived death and mingled with the gods; only those judged worthy were gifted the akh ..criminals for instance would not get this part of the soul.
Mummies were initiated as a result of the Egyptian belief in re-incarnation and that if worthy a soul would need a body and worldly goods to "start over" ;) I tried to use the three parts of the soul to describe a perspective of the unborn and today's practice of abortion ..its a bit of a stretch, i know, but that was the intent with this one .. the title "Mummy" then becomes a somber play on words. Christine's poem "A Mummy's Viewpoint" takes on a very different social consciousness issue .. when I read it I was reminded of this old one and so resurrected it..if you haven't read Christine's poem you might like it: http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/cassie58/2097687/

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

babies come out of the womb, reincarnated souls find their bodies and come out of the tomb.
always been fascinated with Mummies...and the idea of why they did that.
your explanation within your poem is quite intriguing.
one thing the mummies have that would be an advantage....is a lack of speed, being so wrapped up, they were very slow, at least in what we saw in movies...imagine actually slowing down like that in life...
we might enjoy it much more, savor it...
i am really enthralled by the way you put this together...all the short pieces connecting so beautifully..
and the idea of the fetus shivering...when the dead wake...
terrific poem
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

wow! thanks jacob ... really happy you dug into this one as you did ... yes ... we should all slow down ... always says i! ;) take our deep breaths of life eh!? really do appreciate your sensitive and deep understanding of this one .. means a lot sir!
E.

[Kesch]

A graphic write in the last stanza, this is good though, enjoyed the read.....

[Einstein Noodle]

i am gratified that came through for you..is meant to be graphic for sure ... thanks once again for spending your time reviewing me poems! peace love and joy
E.

[barleygirl]

This poem shows that you are many layers beyond me, when it comes to imagining different scenarios in life & being able to connect unrelated ideas with creativity & compassion. I admire the depth with which you write & how you present a viewpoint that could be controversial, but you don't add any fuel to such a fire, just presenting a viewpoint with equanimity. I also enjoyed Christine's poem, so thanks for pointing us in that direction, too! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Einstein Noodle]

yes...Christine's poem is so cool!! ;) thanks for checking this one out Margie ...i appreciate you taking time with it ... and yes..i see lots of parallels in major religions ... and deeply respect those ancient Egyptians ... tho they could be quite brutal ....and thank you for seeing my opinion as just that ... my belief, my opinion and just presenting it ... i have to do that once in a while you know ;) ((((((((((((((((((Margie)))))))))))))))))) so glad you stopped to read and review!
E.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Strange enough I read the title in the maternal sense until I came to the first stanza. Each of the stanzas has merit as a stand alone short piece and together they provide that trinity you enlightened us to, I have to say I found the final stanza chilling!

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks for reviewing always John! i take your input seriously for sure ... Ancient Cultures have a lot of parallels in today's world says i! ..truth is truth after all and doesn't change ... super gratified the last verse hit in such a way ... mission completed ;)
E.

[Robert Trakofler]

Death the industry was truly at it zenith back then! the amount of resources they put into one mans ego was absurd between the tombs creation and his mortal needs in his afterlife. The industry included a massive amount of temples and the religious control over the state was a fact not a threat I look at the culture as very interesting but throughout i feel a sense of waste as i do with "modern" religions here we are thousands of years later and we still have a gods representation on earth using his power to make wealth and dictate lives slanting the gospels to the curves of his desires and not that of it's writings in christian teachings in Islamic teachings even Judeo elements. perhaps I am being negative but i cant help but feel in the long run these folks used the concept of an afterlife to soothe the conscious of the guilt of putting there flocks into battle and death to preserve and gain more power & wealth far to often the true meaning of religious intent becomes the tools of control and greed. I like your examination of the beliefs of the soul in this it was a very contemplative write. Your mummy's (mommy) might be angry at my words but i believe in the end the soul does what it does no matter how we attempt to influence it

[Einstein Noodle]

glad you found this thought provoking Bad One ;) discussions of the soul by nature are mysterious and complex ... and most likely something entirely different in our ending this physical life ... i think religions are deserving of your social conscience punching ... greed, avarice and power are strong corrupting agents ... i assuredly agree ... Faith is what the soul is all about and me thinks we will all have quite a surprise crossing over .. love on ya Bunny ... really appreciate your reading and thoughts ... thanks!! :)
E.

[emmajoy]

What a wonderful piece of writing, each segment adding that little more until satisfaction is reached but left open for the reader to think about. Has taken me three reads. My thought process needs far more time but... in many years past that great civilisation/society used the minds and skills of many accepted non.nationals, adopting whatever creativity available. It ended up to the greater extent to make that society greater than it might have been. Nowadays we seem loath to accept that, we are the so-called best therefore we'll do without because... How sad and insular is that. Or, we treat such people as givers rather than sharers in status.

Culture and its lasting values lasts for as long as it's allowed. Surely the Egyptians hold a serious place in our history, just as the Romans do.. but that's another truth. People's attitude to being kept safe in death has always been the same. The human soul is for death, the spirit is what displays in life, surely? Being mummified is, i've always thought tho am more than willing to be shouted down, is for that extra protection, complete with companions two footed or four alongside, whether for the wealthy or not. To throw death to the ditch is considered an insult to life itself.

As to those aborted souls.. tis a fear that greets the soul of an unwanted being, whether for or not natural or incurred death. Life is what it is - created thus - viable, tender and fragile. Whether we accept that is personal, not necessarily in the religious or whatever spiritual sense. I stand firmly in how i feel until.. 'whenever' fades to dust. Would no more hack down a blossoming tree than kill a human being. Forgive all my blathering. But your writing is often a lesson in itself and to pass by is disrespectful as well as foolish. Many thank yous, dear you.

[Einstein Noodle]

you found my Egyptian poem ... i am so happy about that .. and for the time you spent on it .. both reading and reviewing .. what a treasure ... i prize discourse on anything written here at the Cafe' ...it is not quite as harsh an environment as the "real" outside world .. we hold respect along with disagreement and differences (for the most part) so gratified you got into this poem, Em ... and i am with you about life ... the softer and more aware we place our footsteps ... the greater and more gentle the peace that is given us ... so respect you Em .... a pleasure getting to know you through our poetry and comments ;)
E.

[andrew mitchell]

Fascinating write with underlying theme the quest to be immortal in a mortal world. Nice write Sir Pharaoh.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahhhhhh i love it .. "Sir Pharaoh" indeed! ...you gave me a grin on me face sir ... and thanks for reading and reviewing ... i think Egypt has a depth we will never exhaust eh!? sure appreciate you Andrew!
E.

[Fran Marie]

Fascinating piece of writing here.. Love how you describe the three parts of the soul ..and I too see how abortion figures in
Apt title for this Mummy..this poem shows the US the mysteries of life and just how connected we truly are..love it

[Einstein Noodle]

you feel me Fran ... i could not be more satisfied than that ... and yes ... the mysteries ... absolutely .. thanks so much for reviewing .. peace on ya! all day everyday!
E.

[Great Aunt Astri]

WHat an amazing poem! Simplicity and great depth combined. Abstract ideas, and descriptive detail linked in a formal structure, which flows and works really well. I would not call any of it 'plagiarism'. We all learn from the past and share ideas. Not sure, though, that I go along with link of the Mummy and abortion. I see your point of the three aspects of the Soul of the 'dead, and the unborn.. But abortion? Perhaps a bit of a stretch, but a clever play on words. Looking forward to reading more.

[Great Aunt Astri]

PS Talking about plagiarism. Somebody is still writing in using my name. It is I who is Great Aunt Astri. Not whoever he, she or it, is! What can one do about that?

[Einstein Noodle]

wow ... i have not seen the culprit Auntie! letting us know is a start perhaps ... and i report such things and will block the offender if they are trolling and causing undue drama ... i agree...it is a stretch to link mummies and abortions .. i was trying to link a soul to the unborn ... a strong social/moral issue for me as here in the USA i must pay taxes and those taxes are funding approx. 1 million deaths of the unborn every year since Roe vs. Wade ... i think it is an issue of religion and the Feds should not be in it .. putting that aside ... i meant to inspire thought on it ..as i know there are very polarized positions on aborting fetuses. thanks always and true for your visits and review Auntie ... you are one of the first poets i made it a point to follow ;) that's turning into years ago isn't it!?? love on ya! hope the fake is brought into the light
E.

[Great Aunt Astri]

Ta ever so, Einstein. Yes, abortion is a very emotive thing. I do believe Souls exist, but when exactly they enter the body I am not sure. Some people say, it is at birth. But your poem was very inspired and made me think. I once wrote a poem about the tears of the unborn. But on balance I think the tears of the unwanted child in life is worse. You were one of the first poets I communicated with. your name and poetry intrigued me. You're a gem, Einstein Noodle!

[Einstein Noodle]

back at ya Auntie!!! hugs!

[Ken Simm.]

I love the linkage here Gene. The way the write follows the belief and the mystery. Everything interconnected, learned and the beutiful complexity. And I'm always a sucker for some complextiy and ancient belief.

[Einstein Noodle]

Ken!! so happy you read this one for just those reasons ..you living among standing stones and lochs, misty mountains and all ;) ancient Egyptian culture art etc. is fascinating for sure .. their beliefs capture ones' imaginations ..and the veins of similarities with "modern" major religions is incredible says i! thanks so much for taking time always Ken .. glad you got something from the reading :)))))))))))
E.

[Lydia Shutter]

Really wonderful explanation of why they did what they did. Today's zombie movies closely resemble the look of a mummy...the wrapped beings. Wouldn't we all want to keep our loved ones with us through eternity? In our memories we do, but the Egyptians had their mummies....and the souls were wrapped up there with them. It's all in what you believe, isn't it? E, you are always unique with your writing. That's what keeps me coming back to read more. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

yes... their beliefs are so interesting to me ... in such an ancient culture its the similarities to relatively more modern religions that astounds me ...the after life is a mystery that must be addressed ... those who claim different, to me, are in denial ;) love love love and joy Lydia .. thanks again for reviewing me stuff
E.