"Even when I danced erect

by the Nile’s garden

I constructed Necropolis.



Ten million fellaheen cells

of my body floated stones

to establish a white museum."



Grisly, foul, and terrific

is the speech of bones,

thighs and arms slackened



into desiccated sacs of flesh

hanging from an armature

where muscle was, and fat.



"I lie on the painted bed

diminishing, concentrated

on the journey I undertake



to repose without pain

in the palace of darkness,

my body beside your body."