Hymn to Osiris

Acknowledged as one of history's most extraordinary life size sculptures,
the statue, carved from a solid block of diorite, was found in the valley temple
of the Second Pyramid at Giza. It is considered to be a representation
of the pharaoh "Khafre" because of the cartouche carved into its base.
In the world view of the ancient Egyptians
the pharaoh was more than the political and spiritual leader of the people—
the pharaoh was a "God-Man-King"—
a visible earthly connection with the presence and higher intelligence of Osiris.

Hymn to Osiris

I have come home.
I have entered humanhood, bound to rocks and plants, men and women, rivers and sky.
I shall be with you in this and other worlds.
When the cat arches in the doorway, think of me. I have sometimes been like that.
When two men meet each other in the street, I am there speaking to you.
When you look up, know I am there—sun and moon—pouring my love around you.
All these things I am; portents, images, signs.
Though apart, I am part of you.
One of the million things in the universe, I am the universe, too.
You think I disguise myself as rivers and trees simply to confuse you?
Whatever I am, woman, cat or lotus, the same god breathes in every body.
You and I together are a single creation.
Neither death nor spite nor fear nor ignorance stops my love for you...

—Excerpted from "Awakening Osiris: The Egyptian Book of the Dead" ©1988 Normandi Ellis, trans.