Nefertari, A Pyramid Of Smiles

Waves were kissing the blushing rocks And sheep were grazing with their flocks African waters bright and clear In northward flow gallantly steered. Riding fast in unbridled rank Galloping hard the river bank White manes cresting ready to leap Shallows splashing against their feet. Adventurous ones took the lead Daring sidesaddle on their steeds Calling out to laggers behind To keep the pace, to stay the line. Wild ones broke and jumped the track Tossing breakwaters off their back That swept land with a whooshing sound Roaring in unison smashing the ground. In Tanzania the stretch began Through Uganda and South Sudan Past Khartoum and Aswan Then took a short break in Cairo. There they eased to a gentle flow Basking beneath Ra's lazy glow, From the shadows and secret glades Magnificent colors tipped the shade; A sycamore was in distress Of how the cypress wore its dress, The jacaranda was displeased With smelly eucalyptus leaves, The mimosa's throwing a fit Stubbing their roots on mango pits, The acacia most bitter Of citrus fruit juicing the river. Nefertari stood with a sneer Undoing her cloak and braided hair Then slipped in the Nile to bathe In the shadow of the secret glade. Rippling tides in majestic peace Slowly encompassing their reach Surrounding her with clinging touch Painting her with their liquid brush. On that canvas nakedly framed Glamour of the Egyptian age And all the glories found within Unfettered by the desert wind. Graceful curves that wound for miles Bestowing pyramids of smiles And the touch of her velvet hand Which cooled the Arabian sand. The hidden moon in cloudy high With full, then half, then crescent eye In no deference to the sun Blocked him in a midday run. Nefertari laughed overjoyed At moon's darkening clever ploy, The sun so powerful and bright Eclipsed by one so small and slight.