Nephthys ’ Darkened Hour
Christina Ciufo
Ebony clouds part – Khons ’ canary moon appears and illuminates in the sky .
It conjures Nephthys ’ darkness and ensorcellment over cracked , tan pyramids , and pharaohs ’ tombs , shawled in sand .
A caracal roams around columns and climbs the temples ’ stone stairs , protecting and yowling its ’ despondency lullaby for the dead . An Egyptian cobra slithers up and coils around Anubis ’ leg and arm .
Myrrh , cinnamon oil , cumin , and frankincense burns into the flame ’ s golden-scarlet mouth . The aroma permeates in the air and like the Nile River , flows into the tombs ’ cracks .
Spirits ascend within their sarcophaguses and tombs , roaming across the desert .
My lips tremble , reciting Nephthys ’ incantation My eyes weep disconsolate tears My heart palpitates dread My body and spirit , like a mummy , are embalmed and entombed in darkness