When looking at history,
where people have been,
I wonder if you notice how
wealth enters in.
The first thing they ask,
when they dig up a grave
is, "Was this a master
or Was this a slave?"
When they tested the Ice Man,
we found to our grief
that this was no chieftain,
this was a thief.
Whether its Neanderthal children
or cute little mummies,
the thing of importance is how
priests wrapped their tummies.
It matters immensely
in the grand scheme of things
how people are placed
and what power it brings.
Just notice those bones
and how they are laid.
that can't be Queen Esther,
it must be the Maid.
Check out the arm with the silver band
with rings on the fingers
and a sword, in the hand.
Don’t talk to me of the prophet Amos
when you can dine with the rich and famous.
This is the stuff we want to know.
keep digging ‘em up
and we’ll watch that show.
Author notes
[Archaeologists dig up Roman bath complex By MARTA FALCONI, Associated Press Writer
Thu Jul 19, 11:03 PM ET
ROME - The complex was believed to be part of a multi-story villa that belonged to the Roman-era equivalent of a billionaire, a man called Quintus Servilius Pudens who was a friend of Emperor Hadrian, Arya said. It was unclear whether the baths were open to the public or reserved for the owner's distinguished guests.]
Viking queen exhumed to solve mystery By Alister Doyle
SLAGEN, Norway (Reuters) - Archaeologists exhumed the body of a Viking queen on Monday, hoping to solve a riddle about whether a woman buried with her 1,200 years ago was a servant killed to be a companion into the afterlife.
A contest entry
- The Laughs of Society by bloved.
550 points, ended August 2, 2007, 28 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 33 of 33
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I loved this poem. How very true. More than anything I love the truth. To see my own sentiments in someone elses words is a real treat. Who we are seems to be of a lesser value than who we know and what we have. If you have more poems like this, I would
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A very encouraging note. You will find more poems on my author's Page.
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I LIKE!!!!!!!!
I adore watching the discovery channel, right along with reading your inspirational, witty, information filled most professionally penned pieces. I am so happy that I dug up your treasure! It's truly divine work! And, funny!
POETDONTKNOWIT
WRITING IT HER OWN WAY
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I am glad you read this. I gave me an opportunity to revisit it and to make some changes to small case letters.
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I liked this piece very much! It's humorous but it's not an empty kind of humor. It's very clever. I feel like you may have lost the rhythm near the end...the rhymes are great but couplet with "Amos" and "famous" felt forced. I did love that you know what you're talking about; this poem shows not only a grasp of humour and wit, but also a good knowledge of archaeology...or the TV reporting archaeology.
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Thank you for entering! I will be judging this contest here shortly. Good luck!
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This is just delightful! Love your 'take' on the Discovery Channel, tho' National Geo has much the same! It IS so appealing! Fascinating, morbid, flashy,and tickling our acquisitiveness all at once! "Nice" people can get in on the thrills, since it's "scientific"!
Beautifully stated, great rhyming. Sure enjoyed your piece!
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wow I never read anything from this point for view...this is very intersting...
Very witty and clever
Thanks for entering
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I've never read anything from anyone pointing this out. Definitely something I hadn't thought about, though I have always had interest in archeology. Wonderfully written, and very witty. Great work.
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A poem that speaks to the archeologist in us all.
Wonderful rhyme, smooth meter and a wonderful homage to a fantastic channel! Well done, very much enjoyed the read.
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Great reading
Most enjoyable, and totally true.
Joe
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I was reading some of Mark Twain earlier this evening, and low and behold, some like minded satire.LOL
Greatly writ!
John-Las Vegas, Nevada -
Dear Man,
Ooops! -
I really enjoyed reading this piece and liked the form very much. Great description and imagery. I loved the flow and Keep up the great job!!!
It is amazing that you were able to incorporate so much about history into your piece, definetly a true piece of art
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interesting. very interesting. and not just so, but very well written. i have a friend who would like to be an archeologist, so this poem really hit home for me. maybe i should have her read it. this just makes me want to dig back into history and find the roots our world has grown from. wonderful write!
Peace && Blesses
~Rain
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EXCELLENT
it's funny because I have a poem named "Animal planet"
quite a pair totally dedicated to industrial conspiracy
this was truly inspired!well done!
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Your poem is up beat. Yes, I want to know who that person was, what his occupation was, what social class he or she was from. My favorite channel is the Discovery channel. Keep writing because this is a gem of a poem.BHolzner
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so true. so true, they pump us for their worth , the hype , the gold ooh, ooh oogles of the shiney things on the tv box. I couldnt agree more, wonderful funny piece, enjoyed this immensley
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LOL I will never watch the discovery channel the same way again, but you are right they always have to name what they find! But if they dig up an ordinary man I bet they'd call him Fred LOL
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Very cool poem. I liked the topic and I enjoyed the rhymes within it. I was very entertained as I read this. Well done!
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Good poem.
Well, the archeologists naturally want to find valuable items and therefore prefer rich graves. Other things being equal, wouldn't anyone rather find gold than bronze? But, of course, a rare bronze artifact may well be worth more than a common gold one.
We live in a very materialistic society; success is measured by wealth, though the wise know that money is not necessarily the best thing in life. When social scientists study what makes people happy, they find that love is far more valuable than money. -
I absolutely loved this. It was the title that caught my attention, and the poem itself was firm and to the point, but in a scathingly satyrical way.
I usually look down on particular rhyme like this, because I think it takes away from the meaning of the poem, but if anything, I believe this accentuates your point. Excellent job!
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This is a satire of our own values and how we project them into
our search for the past. I am pleased to have your interest and encouragement. -
Well written with a good free flowing rhyme scheme.A thought provoking wtite imbued with truism,the imagery was good.
Indeed archeologists are able to denote whether a cadaver is that of someone of high position or lowly, it reflects society as it is today as those in positions of power will be found thousands of years from now in an ornate mausoleum and the ordinary joe bloggs will be laid to rest with the minimum of recognition.Personally I am as interested in the lifestyle of the rich as well as the poor,everyman has his own journey after all,is borne of woman,here but a short time. -
I don't think its unusual for archeologists keep looking for a truly egalitarian society. Social stratification runs back to the first family structures, we can't get away from it. The problem is that it doesnt work well for a large society to have a single leader. A great write.
Slyder -
so so true, great way you have portrayed your ideas. well dun
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I hold the same view as you do. I've heard enough about every famous person in history, but what about the people like us? The people in poverty had to have had great stories to tell of romance, battles, and overcoming the rich. I would love to hear more about them! Very good work and a wonderful message to go along with it.
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I really liked this poem, and it is certainly original - I don't think many people write about the discovery channel! An interesting read, and as i say, i liked it a lot. I'll have to read more of your poetry!
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I like those "A" s. Thanks for the encouragement.
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Not quite what I was expecting of you when I saw thr title. However I am far from disappointed. I really enjoyed this very apt comment on many armchair archeologists. I am sure the true seeker can find a lot to learn from any relics but there are always those who want the quantity and quality that go with a notables burial site.
Back to the actual poem. I felt it flowed well and had a good rhythm at first. I stumbled over the last few lines which didn't quite match the early flow but it didn't cause me amy lasting pain
A good poem. Well done.
Jim S -
I am always honored to receive your input. I seem to be drawn away from beauty because there are so many balloons floating around to poke pins in. Sometimes some of these things that we do have a bigger lie underneath the stone that we lift up. I keep poking around. There is a lie connected with archeology that is connected with their need to get grants and keep their programs going. The lie is that they are interested in science.
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Oh, yes, and everyone has some Native American blood that comes from some Princess or Chief.....we are so alike, aren't we...how simple minded.
Great poem....
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