Monday, October 22, 2012

Eckleburg


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.

Written for The Mag and also linked to IGwRT open link Monday.  Both are well worth your time to have a look.  The above image is from Tess Kincaid.

43 comments:

  1. We're all gonna die, someday
    Hopefully just not yet
    Great write Mary

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  2. I wouldn't want to look at such things
    Intestines are scary at any wings

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    1. Well, I wasn't really thinking it was you who was looking on.... Thanks for reading though. :o)

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  3. Vivid, vivid write--and packs a punch--loved this

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  4. triangulating 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...

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    1. Thanks Brian. Yea, I hope to keep my brain inside my head too!

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  5. Whew, that gives me pause for thought! Sobering actually. Fascinating perspective.

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  6. Wonderful last stanza especially. Terrifically Egyptian but relevant too. k.

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  7. I didn't write for this prompt but you did very well ~

    Creative slant ~ I specially like the second verse ~

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  8. Oh, so the jars weren't too much for you - thank you Grace. :o)

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  9. I like the slant of your words and how I know see
    pyramids and funky burials~ Spooky good

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  10. Somehow, this looks like a wonderful prologue for a historical fiction to me!

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    1. Oh, thank you Ninotaziz. I never considered that.

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  11. Mary,

    I 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

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    1. Thank you Linda. Always glad to hear from you.

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  12. Yes. At least I sure hope so! Well written, great word choices.

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  13. Now I can't get that damn song...
    "Walk Like an EEEgyption" outta my head!!~

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  14. decorate our bodies like sarcophagi.

    and 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.

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    1. Thank you Margaret. I thought it was a tough one too. I stewed over it for a long time.

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  15. Yes, 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.

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    1. Thank you Karen. That's always a good thing, I think. (and I think there are too)

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  16. The images here are fascinating. I like it.

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  17. Wow 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 .

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    1. Yes, I think there is something/one there too. Glad you liked this one; thanks for reading!

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  18. A brilliant and powerful write Mary! Love this!!

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  19. Love those last two lines. Such a good job.

    =)

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  20. Mary, amazing work! One of my favorites!

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  21. Wow, this short piece packs power and thought. The third stanza is mind-blowing.

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