The god Amun
Published
Topic
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One of the objects in the exhibition
is the head of a ram
made from pale polished quartzite
smooth, ancient, beautiful
but very unintelligent.
None of the sparkling subtlety
that makes a human face so captivating.
What to think of a culture
that chose this for its god?
Serene stupidity
atonal bleating
in answer to the desperately intricate questions
they asked
Where does the soul fly to from the pyramid's peak?
Who will serve the monarchs in their nightly journey through death's kingdom?
Will the queen sleep forever on her funerary bed?
When the grave robbers rape her tomb
will their lives afterwards be eternally cursed?
Will the shabtis perform their duties?
Will the ankh symbol ensure lasting life?
And will the water always be there, to flow, to cleanse,
to wash wounds, to slake thirst, to revive?
What if the rivers dry up, if the rains cease to fall
no grass, no cattle, no crocodiles
no beautiful glazed pots
only dearth and death.
We wander on stick-legged, eyes bulging
but there will never be any more verdant pastures
never any more shade from the crackling sun
Where is our god to succour us?
A dry bleat.
Ba.