We shook the sand of Egypt`s Milleniums
From our shoes
And climbed aboard the rattling Cairo tramcar.
A short ride across town
And there they stood
Silent, slightly sinister
The Pyramids of Cheops.
Stone steps inside, bordered by smooth slopes
Punctuated with slots for leverage
Where heavy sarcophagi were dragged
To their everlasting tombs.
A candlelit crawl on hands and knees
Led to the Queen`s chamber, now empty
Higher up (of course) lay the King`s chamber.
Cool draughts from invisible ventilator shafts
Kept an even temperature
While outside the desert broiled
Sending up mini twisters and dancing heat haze.
We stared inscrutibly at the inscrutable Sphynx
With its lion`s body and woman`s head.
The poor dear`s nostrils, badly eroded by centuries
Now looked as if she had been heavy on Cocaine.
Unable to solve the mystery of her gaze
We caught the tramcar back to Cairo
To get on with our war.
Leave over.
Author notes
Cairo leave 1944
A contest entry
- Take Me There Part II : Egypt (any time period) More Points! by Everwind Rising.
900 points, ended July 24, 2007, 8 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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It was lovely to see your name again after all this time. like seeing an old friend. I have relocated to the NW coast of Ireland, its beautiful here but just like going back in time. internet connections are as rare as hen`s teeth. one of the disadvantages of a rural lifestyle........but wouldnt change it now.
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You may not agree. But how I envey your time relished back in those days. Far less complicated and unpolluted by the masses of today. Just seeing these treasures when a bit less corroded by the ravages of time would have been a blessing.Reading of your journeys in life is like being there. Great tales writer/poet!
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admirable talent, here, kind poet! exceptional poem with fine images that spark out the story in clever ways. stirring and uplifting, this poem makes me smile!
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Fabulous. I felt as if I were there as I read this. The imagery and story took me and I felt it, saw it. The last lines seem so strange and thought provoking. The monumental action of war put into perspective in the shadow of the ancient wonders of Egypt which have witnessed and forgotten so many wars, pharoahs, and governments come and go. Excellent
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This is interesting and adventurous a head splitting mind blowing read. to say the very least. You definately took me there. Nice job, and much luck to you in the world and in the contest! Cheers!
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Wow, cool. I never been to Eyvpt but I love to see the pyramids and congrats on moving on to the next round.
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