bedower
Jedi Master
We entered by the broken door,
atop the high hill
surrounded by strong walls,
to keep the city safe.
Full eight hundred metres deep
we must descend;
clinging to the crevissed wall,
down slippery ramp.
Black abyss on our right.
I dare not look down.
Wrapt in silence,
candles flickering,
we delved those inner depths
with unknown steps,
down until there seemed no more
way, and uncounted ages had past.
But wait,
one bush, and into its tangled branches
we must slide, ever down
to that clear pool beneath
where the coins shine.
So many before us
had ventured here?
And from how long ago?
From whence comes the fey light
shaded faintly green,
in that cavern
deep beneath that hill?
Who am I to ask?
And would I dare ask?
Would I dare the answer?
Up then to life and light and air,
climbing, scratching,
ever seeking foothold.
Foothold there was for us.
Up and up for most,
breath hard in our chest.
Down and down for some, no breath left.
No friend near,
or they came afterwards
when another sacrifice
had been made.
Giza El Aala, 1973-4
*Yussef's Well was closed to the public in 1975-6. Too many slips. Too many deaths.
atop the high hill
surrounded by strong walls,
to keep the city safe.
Full eight hundred metres deep
we must descend;
clinging to the crevissed wall,
down slippery ramp.
Black abyss on our right.
I dare not look down.
Wrapt in silence,
candles flickering,
we delved those inner depths
with unknown steps,
down until there seemed no more
way, and uncounted ages had past.
But wait,
one bush, and into its tangled branches
we must slide, ever down
to that clear pool beneath
where the coins shine.
So many before us
had ventured here?
And from how long ago?
From whence comes the fey light
shaded faintly green,
in that cavern
deep beneath that hill?
Who am I to ask?
And would I dare ask?
Would I dare the answer?
Up then to life and light and air,
climbing, scratching,
ever seeking foothold.
Foothold there was for us.
Up and up for most,
breath hard in our chest.
Down and down for some, no breath left.
No friend near,
or they came afterwards
when another sacrifice
had been made.
Giza El Aala, 1973-4
*Yussef's Well was closed to the public in 1975-6. Too many slips. Too many deaths.