~ Sphinx ~

would i walk my mind in wonder
sitting on banks of the Nile
close my eyes wide asunder

what secrets lie beneath her limestone-riddled belly
sprawled, tawny-throated Giza Sphinx
where sands of time and lips are tomb deep
 
queens adorned with golden combs
lapis lazuli and carnelian
dangle hoops piercing ear jewelry

i imagine Cleopatra’s roaming sashay
queenly rights rose to power
claiming fame to Egypt and bedfellow mates

tell me stories of polished red jasper
stone embedded names in hieroglyph
in the scroll of the dead life after

Anaksunamun and beloved Imhopte
her husband pharaoh did not agree
scarabs replaced ceremonial blessing

staring across lotus lily desert land
Sphinx! declare who was your paramour
lidless you lay crouching evermore

whose pomegranate mouth cried in vain
hawk-faced winged or azure painted eyes
ruling crowning glory did you deny?

who stood before you fair in despair
as you flicked your baited tail
and cast them aside ancient stares

did Ra and Osiris glaze in horror
as you turned your nose to spite your face
bewildered obelisk leaned in shadow terror

sunsets in Cairo aromatic spice breezes
lining horizontal almond vanilla skies
diffuse jasmine oil reeds

as i lay beside~ Giza Sphinx