Poetry

Vandals on Egypt

 (Abu Simbel Temple)

The statues are awful, immense,

Brooding, brutal, overwhelming.

The hieroglyphics are occult,

Enigmatic, clearly profound.

Except,

When you get right down to it:

I smote the Nubians.

I smote the Assyrians.

I had many women.

I had many slaves.

I carved this in stone.

I was Ramses the Great.

Over the top of this, some

Nineteenth century vandal has carved:

I found this place.

I was here.

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