Glory Is A Sphinx
         At noon, the Egyptian sands
         Are the hottest in the world.
         I wiped sweat from my brow
         And watched as leaves curled.

         I craned my neck towards heaven
         And impatiently scanned the sky.
         I'd come for one reason only:
         To see the Sphinx fly.

         Suddenly a winged shape darkened
         The hot bronze sun.
         Transfixed with joy and terror,
         I found I could not run,

         But stood staring at the beast floating
         In the merciless glare and heat.
         I felt so insignificant.
         I might have stood at a mountain's feet.

         For the magnificent creature now hovering
         Was too beautiful for earth.
         I wondered then, and have wondered since,
         What gave her birth.

         She vaned her pinions lazily;
         She had the wings of an eagle
         Stretched to twenty feet.
         Oh, her bearing was regal!

         Supported by the wings was
         The body of a great lion.
         Graceful and tawny, rippling with muscles.
         I sank to my knees cryin'

         With awe at the sight
         Of her lion's legs, talon-tipped.
         The talons glowed milky-white, but
         The rest of her was sun-dipped.

         She had the head of a woman,
         A proud and noble one, too.
         Eyes aflame with lion's pride
         For all that they were blue.

         Golden hair that met her pelt,
         An aristocratic jaw.
         But when she yawned, I noticed that
         Pointed fangs filled her maw.

         With a call- part lion roar,
         Part woman song, part eagle scream-
         She soared away. I've seen her since
         In dreams.

         Rejoicing in a monster-
         I guess I've got a few kinks.
         But who couldn't rejoice in glory?
         And glory is a Sphinx.