What I Learnt From Watching Television Archeology
We've found another body! Cut
to cleavage shots of fine young animal:
bare shoulders, swinging breasts,
definitely female. Adult, young,
still fertile. On her knees, undressing
bones; the mouth gapes and the skull,
turned sideways, concentrates
upon the probing knife.
Fade in the expert to explain
what is revealed: age
in the worn tooth. A woman,
by her pelvis. Cause of death?
A subject for some further tests.
Linger on the living now,
back in the ditch, tanned flesh,
strong legs . We learn so much
about a culture from the way it treats a body.
The way it is displayed for viewing
reveals the truth of what is valued.
I used to watch a famous television program devoted to archaeology. This was the reason i stopped.
The poem is taken from 'Rough Spun to Close Weave'. Copies and other samples available from www.liamguilar.com
