A Mummy's Viewpoint

A Mummy's Viewpoint

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

(an alternative view after a museum visit in Oxford)

"
Encased in glass, I lie supine,
as people pass by single file.
My body bound by linen strips
in geometric patterned style
of ancient Egypt's craftsmanship.
A Roman portrait at my head,
my lips are pursed, too sad to smile.
"She was a beauty", I hear said,
"How did she meet her early death?
Her pearls portray a life of wealth,
too bad her riches and her gold
could not have bought her better health".
Into a stranger's land I'm brought,
away from all I've ever known,
where day to day I am displayed
undignified, away from home.
The afterlife I had in mind
was where I languished in my dreams,
yet here within museum walls,
it's not the heaven that it seemed.
My silent cries are lost to all,
how small I am within this place.
Repatriate me, please I ask
to find elation on my face.

© 2019 Chris Shaw


My Review

Would you like to review this Poem?
Login | Register




Featured Review

and in the end...no matter how big or important we were in life....in death we are the same size as anyone else...
i like the theme here...and it is coincidental...because I am reading a book right now about a woman in a coma..she has her thoughts and hears what people are saying , but cannot communicate and they all think she is oblivious when actually she is not...interesting what we can hear in those situations...
being on display is never easy.
j.

Posted 5 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

That book sounds interesting Jacob, and is on a subject I have often pondered on. The awfulness of b.. read more



Reviews



I find my self both hoping and wondering whether that part which made her uniquely her is smiling down from somewhere else, upon the redundant vehicle that once served as the carriage that which carried her soul .. a ponderworthy poem if ever there was Chris .. Neville


Posted 1 Year Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

I hope she is in a much more pleasant place than the museum, being oggled by so many people:) So fa.. read more
Neville

1 Year Ago


.. I know it might sound absurd, but mums the word :)
It does seem like a grizzly way to spend eternity

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Not quite the afterlife she was anticipating eh? In a museum in a far off land being oggled by all a.. read more
An interesting and unusual "portrait" of a mummified celebrity, that brings humanity to something that is only regarded as an artefact now. Having worked with the British Museum researching these techniques, this was particularly moving.
N.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Dear Norman, thank you so much for giving this oldie a needed airing. My visit to the museum was so.. read more
You can never bring your riches to the afterlife at all, only the pain you've caused to others and the pain you feel.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Thank you for your review JungLee.

Chris
This is awesome! I'm not much for critiques, I just enjoy the written word as raw as the writer displays it.
This is skillful, and enjoyable!

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Styxian, I thank you for giving this older poem an airing. So pleased you enjoyed the read and very .. read more
dear Christine... a mummy's last dance...
whereupon at a glance... there are memories
when music played and pearls lay upon her breast.
The Egyptians knew our Spirit lived on through
blessings bestowed. Your poetry flows like the Nile..
steadfast and true. truly, Pat

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Many thanks Pat for your beautiful and poetic response, and for giving this older poem an airing.read more
Wow, this was really cool. Not every day you think about the perspective of one that has been dead for years. Though, I wonder -- would this being taken from home and put on display really matter if the soul is someplace in the afterlife?

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

many thanks Hayley and many apologies for the late response. You are right about the soul, but I sti.. read more
Good portrayal of the emotions of one without their anchor. Although I don't believe in all the fancy burial stuff--throw what's left of me in the garbage--I care about those who care. If artifacts are safe in their homeland, leave them there.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you so much for your visit. You are welcome and I appreciate your thoughts on this write. I ag.. read more
Iain L. Luen

5 Years Ago

I heard of a service where your ashes can be mixed with concrete, put into a form, and put on the oc.. read more
Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

How wacky is that? Guess if it helps the environment it's got to be good.
I just read Einstein Noodle's poem, inspired by your poem, so I had to come check this out. As always, I am amazed at your fluid ability to put yourself in so many different shoes & perspectives! To me, this is the utmost in empathy (imagining how a mummy feels!) & it really adds depth & it's your HEART which adds authenticity to your writing (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Happy Easter Sunday Margie. Thanks for giving this poem an airing. I felt really uncomfortable as I .. read more
Rich or poor were all the same in dying..it matters not how important or unimportant in life we are..like the part where her riches couldn't buy her better health..a very well written piece.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Many thanks Fran Marie. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

First Page first
Previous Page prev
1
Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Request Read Request
Add to Library My Library
Subscribe Subscribe


Stats

660 Views
25 Reviews
Rating
Added on March 1, 2019
Last Updated on March 1, 2019

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

Writing
Slipway Slipway

A Poem by Chris Shaw


Gone Gone

A Poem by Chris Shaw



Related Writing

People who liked this story also liked..