Etching
An etching upon a stone
remnant of a word once known
interval chasm of millennia
remains of a man who was

Aging signs of once a king?
Pharaoh of the greatest lands
emperor with forceful hands
ruler of now endless sands

Echoes of a great decree?
Carved in stone eternally
words of long gone memory
unknown to those who now can see

And what of this emblem upon the wall?
Stars and lines and more of all
eagle of now ancient lore
perhaps the etching means much more

Secrets of a long dead race?
rituals wrote down in haste?
An antidote to end all fear?
Or perhaps simply a "Jack was here"

Though we think of once forever
all who pass are come and gone
reduced to none but dust and bones
Silent etching upon a stone