Terra Cotta Warriors

In June, 2008, I traveled to China with the Maryland Community Band.  One of the main reasons I wanted to go was to see the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an, China.  Here's an attempt at conveying my feelings.

Terra Cotta Warriors I

 

Peaceful and serene

Ever watchful
Always vigilant
Alert

You almost feel

That they could come to life

But

Their weapons are missing

Chariots rotted
Horses out of place
Armor is faded

Some soldiers are crumbled

By ravages of time

Hollow shells
Each one unique
Who were they modeled on?

Seven Generals wait

When they hear the call,
Will they be ready?

How long do you wait

Shaped, fired, painted, armed
Sealed underground

To guard the Emperor

In the afterlife

Terra Cotta Warriors II

I was molded in clay

Fired in a 900 degree kiln
Given a unique face, demeanor
Painted in bright colors
Armed

Then sealed underground

To wait

To serve my Emperor in the afterlife

Thousands of us

Perhaps modeled after family, friends, self
Artists’ signatures hidden in the details

It would not matter

When the tomb was finished
The artists would be finished
And silenced and buried as well

But not standing upright

Thrown into mass burial pits
as an afterthought

Much more attention and thought

was given to me

A Terra Cotta Warrior

So much attention to every detail
So much thought given to placement
So much contemplation on the afterlife
So little regard for the living.

Copyright 2008.  Lori Dominick