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Ptolemy’s daughter gently traced the carvings on the wall and said,
«Papa, teach me how to read the sacred language of the gods.»
The Pharaoh smiled, proud of his precocious offspring, and said nothing.
Ptolemy’s daughter unrolled the delicate temple scroll and pleaded,
«Please, Papa, teach me the sacred language of the priests.»
Pharaoh sighed, fearful of his daughter’s boldness, but remained silent.
Ptolemy’s daughter examined the words on the lawyer’s scroll and demanded,
«I’ve asked you, Papa, numerous times. I want to speak and read the language of the people.
I will be Pharaoh someday; the common people don’t speak Greek.»
Pharaoh grinned and lifted his wise daughter to his shoulder. «You are right, my dear.»
He gathered the tutors in hieroglyphs, hieratic, and demotic to his palace.
«Teach my daughter,» he commanded. «She’s eager to learn.»
The tutors looked at each other, afraid of the Pharaoh’s wrath.
«Yes, my lord,» the tutors agreed in unison, bowing and scraping
As they backed toward the door. Cleopatra clapped and kissed her father’s cheek.
«Thank you, Papa; you will not regret this order. I will become Egypt’s most excellent Queen.
You will see me from the afterlife and cheer me on.»
«I’m counting on it,» Pharaoh reassured her, setting the feather of Ma’at on her head.

This poem is in Dawn Pisturino’s new collection, Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt (Horse Mesa Press, 2025).

Copyright © 2025 Dawn Pisturino
All Rights Reserved

Dawn Pisturino is a retired registered nurse in Arizona whose international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. Her first poetry collection, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023, debuted with five-star reviews and reached #60 on the Amazon Bestseller List for Haiku & Japanese Poetry. Her short chapbook, Lunar Gazing Haiku, became a #1 Amazon New Release in six categories. Her Halloween collection, Haiku for the Midnight Hour, achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in three categories. Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine, released in December 2024, quickly climbed to #1 Amazon New Release status in Japanese Poetry & Haiku. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America and the Arizona Authors Association.