Does anyone look on
as we fashion
our monuments to death?
Decorate our bodies like sarcophagi;
arrange the canopic jars:
liver, lungs, intestines, spleen.
Lay out bones like dominos,
triangulating the distance
between soul and abyss.
We're all gonna die, someday
ReplyDeleteHopefully just not yet
Great write Mary
Thanks Rene, so is yours!
DeleteI wouldn't want to look at such things
ReplyDeleteIntestines are scary at any wings
Well, I wasn't really thinking it was you who was looking on.... Thanks for reading though. :o)
DeleteVivid, vivid write--and packs a punch--loved this
ReplyDeleteThank you Audrey!
ReplyDeletetriangulating the distance between soul and abyss...dang...love the use of the egyptian burial ritual in this as well...i really dont want my brain pulled out my nose though...
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian. Yea, I hope to keep my brain inside my head too!
DeleteWhew, that gives me pause for thought! Sobering actually. Fascinating perspective.
ReplyDeleteWonderful last stanza especially. Terrifically Egyptian but relevant too. k.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Maybe the jars were too much?
DeleteI didn't write for this prompt but you did very well ~
ReplyDeleteCreative slant ~ I specially like the second verse ~
Oh, so the jars weren't too much for you - thank you Grace. :o)
ReplyDeleteI like the slant of your words and how I know see
ReplyDeletepyramids and funky burials~ Spooky good
Hey thanks Ella!
DeleteSomehow, this looks like a wonderful prologue for a historical fiction to me!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you Ninotaziz. I never considered that.
DeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI am sure there are many third world people who do just that..... look on and wonder. Interesting that the pyramids are from a continent that has a plethora of third world people...... and now it is the pyramid, adapted here. I love your insights and connections. Thank you for sharing. =D
Thank you Linda. Always glad to hear from you.
DeleteYes. At least I sure hope so! Well written, great word choices.
ReplyDeleteI think so too Sherry! Thanks.
DeleteNow I can't get that damn song...
ReplyDelete"Walk Like an EEEgyption" outta my head!!~
Oh no - now I can't either!
Deletedecorate our bodies like sarcophagi.
ReplyDeleteand I love your inclusion of canopic jars... I suppose it is man's search for meaning that has triggered such things. A great response to what I thought was a difficult prompt.
Thank you Margaret. I thought it was a tough one too. I stewed over it for a long time.
DeleteYes, I think there are, but often we may not even know those who do...the images from dominos to jars just bring out such bold visions....a very nice piece that makes a person pause and look inward.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen. That's always a good thing, I think. (and I think there are too)
DeleteThe images here are fascinating. I like it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. :o)
DeleteWow Mary , thus is cool. There is no doubt in my mind something is watching on, from the other side of the abyss between what is ideal, and what is actual, thanks for this .
ReplyDeleteYes, I think there is something/one there too. Glad you liked this one; thanks for reading!
DeleteA brilliant and powerful write Mary! Love this!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Carrie!
DeleteLove those last two lines. Such a good job.
ReplyDelete=)
Thank you Sue :o)
DeleteMary, amazing work! One of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Helen! That's high praise. :o)
DeleteGreat write, Mary.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ayala :o)
DeleteOh, very nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks T!
DeleteWow, this short piece packs power and thought. The third stanza is mind-blowing.
ReplyDeleteThank you MWW - glad you like it.
Delete