saqqarra

though not far from
or much older than
the ones up at giza
these were more worn down

was wondering what out here
in the middle of empty desert
had done that to them

when a shadow on the far horizon
we’d glanced back at and dismissed
ambushed us from behind
and swallowed the sky

spitting black sand
gagging for breath
shirts pulled over our heads
we ran to the stones for shelter

yes
the same crumbled tombs
of humbled forgotten kings
that had already shown us
something besides sandstorms
that nothing long escapes

1976