Death on the Nile
By marguerite
- 366 reads
Ankhesenpaaten was my given name.
I grew up in my father's golden court.
With my five sisters I spent happy years
By the life-giving waters of the Nile.
My mother, Nefertiti, loved us all,
And wept with bitter tears when death's blow struck.
Four of my sisters died an early death.
The one remaining had been married young.
And when my father, Akhenaten, died,
She and her husband ruled a little while,
Till he too died. Meanwhile I had been wed,
Though still a child. to a still younger child,
A boy called Tutankhaten, though he changed
His name a little later, and became
The new king, Tutankhamum. I myself
Had my name changed, Ankhesenamum now.
As we grew up, the love between us grew,
For we two stood alone against the world.
Our only child died young. We still had hope
Of other children. This was not to be.
My husband's life was cut off all too soon.
His splendid burial is now complete.
His tomb is filled with treasures, all of gold,
A golden death mask lies upon his face,
And I am left alone and sorrowing,
Facing a future that fills me with fear.
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