“Wonderful Things!”

 
A caravan of camels wove their way  
‘Cross seas of dunes of sand and mystery.  
The latest season Carter led the way,  
The Valley of the Kings, and history.  
 
Carnarvon paid for every spade of dirt  
( A friend who, Carter excavations, backed ).  
George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert,  
5th Earl of Carnarvon, to be exact.  
 
The two men who’d been introduced in ‘08,  
Enthusiastic, just like freshmen chums,  
Spent seasons of an Egypt winters’ slate  
As wives would shop for fakes in Cairo slums.  
 
But Howard Carter’s dream: to find a tomb,  
From 18th Dynasty, Egyptian’s best.  
A young & ancient pharaoh in his bloom,  
With tribute stored where he was laid to rest.  
 
The search went on for seasons time & time  
While funds began to dwindle till were none.  
Though Carter gave Carnarvon lesser finds,  
His old friend left for Britain, leaving one.  
 
And by the time the winter season came,  
When archaeologists set out to dig,  
The Valley of the Kings saw Carter’s flame,  
A candle, light the way to something big.  
 
A message, sent his patron of the fact:  
He’d found a sunken staircase in the sand.  
And at the base, the royal seals intact;  
A doorway gives the answer in his hand.  
 
For fifteen days, how Carter agonized,  
They needed every day of season left.  
Relieved at last, his patron friend arrived,  
The news of hope he has is not bereft.  
 
Back on the site the workers clear the steps,  
The doorway thick, a small hole then is made.  
A candle is inserted in the depths,  
With jackal seals intact, Carter peers in.  
 
Carnarvon listens in the nothingness,
He calls out then “Do you see anything?”
A quiet hangs like days when they played chess,
Then comes the answer, Yes, wonderful things!