This is a poem that is about the Nile floods in Egypt that were thought to be a gift or blessing to the people.
Click on the arrow to hear the audio.
The Gift of the Nile
© Rudolph 1992
There was a river
it was the Gift of the Nile.
It brought to the people
everything they desired.
It watered their crops,
and washed their feet,
quenched their thirst,
and carried their fleet.
The people wondered
why they were so blessed.
to have a God
that was the best.
To let them prosper
grow and have fun.
It must be none other
than the glorious sun.
This warm giving sun
that let them fatten.
They gave him a name,
they called him Aton.
To Aton they turned
for grace and advice.
They would do so forever
just as long as he burned.
Every year the river
would overflow
bringing water for crops
so they could sow.
Papyrus, barley, and wheat.
Plenty of food for them to eat.
To prepare for the floods
is what they needed.
They turned to one man
whom they heeded.
The Gods say we must
fulfill our fate.
We must organize
to irrigate.
For this man they built
a great palace.
He was the son of the sun,
and understood the balance
of nature, and people,
and why things grow.
He was their King.
He was Pharaoh.
The people loved life
they ate good bread,
but they wondered what happens
when they are dead.
The Pharaoh and Priests
Undertook the task
to prepare for the afterlife.
They built big triangular
granite tombs without windows or even lids.
They called these structures pyramids.
Put my body
in that booth.
I’m headed for the Hall of Truth.
Wrap me tight
like a mummy.
I’m going to a land that’s sunny.
I say goodbye
and I have one wish.
That soon I meet
OSIRIS!
By,
Christopher Rudolph
© Rudolph 1992
There was a river
it was the Gift of the Nile.
It brought to the people
everything they desired.
It watered their crops,
and washed their feet,
quenched their thirst,
and carried their fleet.
The people wondered
why they were so blessed.
to have a God
that was the best.
To let them prosper
grow and have fun.
It must be none other
than the glorious sun.
This warm giving sun
that let them fatten.
They gave him a name,
they called him Aton.
To Aton they turned
for grace and advice.
They would do so forever
just as long as he burned.
Every year the river
would overflow
bringing water for crops
so they could sow.
Papyrus, barley, and wheat.
Plenty of food for them to eat.
To prepare for the floods
is what they needed.
They turned to one man
whom they heeded.
The Gods say we must
fulfill our fate.
We must organize
to irrigate.
For this man they built
a great palace.
He was the son of the sun,
and understood the balance
of nature, and people,
and why things grow.
He was their King.
He was Pharaoh.
The people loved life
they ate good bread,
but they wondered what happens
when they are dead.
The Pharaoh and Priests
Undertook the task
to prepare for the afterlife.
They built big triangular
granite tombs without windows or even lids.
They called these structures pyramids.
Put my body
in that booth.
I’m headed for the Hall of Truth.
Wrap me tight
like a mummy.
I’m going to a land that’s sunny.
I say goodbye
and I have one wish.
That soon I meet
OSIRIS!
By,
Christopher Rudolph
| the_gift_of_the_nile.doc |
