Classic Poem

The stela of Ta-Bek-en-Khonsu shows her After death,
Standing in plaintive profile
Before Osiris, lord of all Abydos,
And red-robed Isis;
And in her slim brown hand her heart,
For by that heart Ta-Bek-en-Khonsu shall be judged.

All this the hieroglyphs make plain,
The little birds and serpents and many zigzag lines,
Moving in quaint procession through the centuries.

So would I stand at last,
Holding my heart for judgment,
Nor fear my judge!

Tell me, Ta-Bek-en-Khonsu,
Daughter of many priests,
What said Osiris?
And did the pale Isis smile?

I dare to think my God will call my name:
Mary will smile on me,
I dare believe!