ENTOMBED

               


    Down deep,
        down steep, dark tunnels I descend,
            till statue, scroll, or frieze appears.
    I scan the gilted images.
        Might each portent
            grand rites and mysteries
                as old as man?
        Behold a cat, a boat,
        a frozen scene of sacrifice,
        a priest in bird-faced cap.
        A coiled cobra,
            could that mean a Queen?
        Rebirth's a scarab?
        Life, a sandal strap?
    I've read how old reliefs
        can crumble, fade or rot
            from light of day
            and human breath.
    These works were wrought with hope
        to outlive death.
        They die
            by those who sought
                to give them aid.
    Just so,
        thought I would hoard them,
        yet it seems each dawn arrives
            to dissipate my dreams.

Reviews

[Raven]

To outlive death? Uh-huh, mans oldest ongoing dilemma. Great images!