(The Mausoleum of Halikarnassos)
Among colossal rags of statuary,
A hunk of horse, a head, a bride and groom
Whose thighs are gracefully advancing, we
Skitter like hundreds and thousands or packet seeds,
Or tropical fish about a watery tomb.
We pass by captions of heroic deeds,
Borrowing our bright clothes and warm soft skin,
Viewed over skulls and gems in misting cases.
A Pharaoh's lovely daughter traipses in;
A Roman nose, a clear broad Grecian brow
Are each exhibited in passing faces
Of visitors among the statues now.
The Mausoleum of Halikarnassos was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Artifacts from the Mausoleum are in Room 21 of the British Museum.
Compare Thomas Hardy's poem of the same name - In the British Museum.
Poetry Atlas has a number of poems about the British Museum and other museums.
Read more about Kieron Winn and get his latest collection of poetry at his site - www.kieronwinn.com.
A hunk of horse from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus,
in Room 21 of the British Museum, London