Hollow mute barren.
What is left
of the flesh
but bones, bereft?
Where
are the thoughts and prayers?
Fallen—buried in the sundered earth.
Unseen currents scatter
the fragments that once
cohered. Ashes dust
atrophy rust.
Gone–
what once was written in stone.
Fallen—buried in the sundered earth.
What will future archaeologists, whether human or from alien civilization, will make of us? is today’s NaPoWriMo prompt. I’ve used Muri’s Running Repetition form (I hope I got it right…) for my reply.
K. 
I’m fine with being a tantalizing mystery to the future. Or forgotten is ok too. I do admire the ability of the past to elude us. Your painting is beautiful.
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Thanks, and I agree Claudia. They can make of me what they will, if there’s anything left to see, even.
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Wonderful sound patterns in these lines, sounds that echo the thoughts. Beautiful artwork to accompany.
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Thanks Aletha. That’s what I always hope for when I write.
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Your inventive use of the near rhyme is something I have not mastered!! Lovely poem that makes one consider what legacy really means in the larger scope of time!
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Thanks Muri. I can never find enough “straight” rhymes, and I like the sound of near rhymes better in general. Regional accents make many words sound different anyway, despite all attempts to make everyone speak the same way.
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We had the same idea. Bones. I love that word ‘sundered’ and you got to use it twice.
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Thanks Jane. Yes it’s a good word. I thought this form would be much harder to construct, but the repetition called to me.
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Beautifully done.
Gone the thoughts and prayers indeed. I agree with Jane, “sundered earth” is a wonderful phrase–a powerful image.
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Thanks Merril. Long gone and buried at this point. There are so many wonderful words–part of the joy of writing.
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Yes, I agree.
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So well done on the prompt, K. Your words… what will future scientists say, indeed. And will we be here? By we, I mean humanity?… blessings.
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Thanks Selma. That’s an open question for sure.
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Oooh, this is very powerful, Kerfe.
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Thanks Robbie. It’s interesting to consider what we will look like to those who come after us.
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A very powerful piece and wonderful art work. There is something Shakespearean about it.
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Thanks Suzanne. In a way, your’re right–
sundered is a very Shakespearean word. And I think the form adds to that feeling too.
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And the musing on life and death 🙂
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I love the words you used in this. There is no telling what the finders will conclude beyond we ended…
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Probably beyond our comprehension. Thanks Jade.
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You’re very welcome.
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