We have obelisks, knot amulets, dead

languages, a fragment of Tutankhamun 

with his nose in ruin, limestone never

meant to be touched. The Egyptian 

government buys their tomb back. 

Before Harry Burton left, he took

photos, assisted by two Egyptian men– 

they helped him develop silver

gelatin prints, glass plate negatives 

of gold treasure, of the boy king’s tattered underwear.

The two assistants names’ are not recorded, but we know

how to starve a god, to keep him from his offerings,

to replace wine with mosaic tiles.

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