Napoleon at the Pyramids - Poem

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A contemplative poem that looks back at a strange historical moment. In “Napoleon at the Pyramids,” Greg Luti wonders what the French general truly saw — and felt — when he was left alone inside the ancient Egyptian pyramids.

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What do you think Napoleon saw when he was left alone in the Pyramids?

Did he see anything at all? Or was it merely a myth?

Perhaps the would-be emperor saw nothing and this very idea is nothing more than speculation, a fancy imagination, similar to that of Alexander the Great being a member of Camelot.

Fascinating for the figures involved, but nothing nearly true involved.

There are some who think that Napoleon had something happen to him when he was left alone in the pyramids.

Before he went back to France.

Before the Revolution took over the country.

Before he went through the ranks of the military.

Before he conquered Europe.

Before Europe conquered him.

And before he was then written into the imagination of every person on Earth.

The man who dreamed of saving his nation, rose during the revolution to be become king, and in military genius helped that nation become the most powerful nation in the world.

But alas, his ambition was too strong, and the enemies rose up against him, to take his throne.

After taking his throne, they exiled him, and vanquished him to another land.

Only for his people to still want him to be their king.

The former general with nothing more than wits and new recruits defended his nation one last time, proving to all that his greatness was never to be questioned.

The story of Napoleon is one that many writers take a lifetime trying to conjure up.

I’d like to think while in the pyramids, he saw something un-nerving, something unusual, something that gave his total life more meaning.

Perhaps the French Emperor sold his soul to a spirit in the pyramid, some ancient deity that told lies to the then-general.

“Napoleon, Napoleon.”

The voice whispered.

“I know who you are. Who you dream to be.

Listen to me, and you can be all of that and more.”

“What is it you want?” The frightened General asked.

“I want you Napoleon to be who you were meant to be.

Napoleon the general.

Napoleon the hero.

Napoleon the emperor.

Napoleon the god.”

The French emperor said nothing.

“France needs a savior.

You know that.

Your country is in ruins.

Your people are lost.

What are you to do about it?

You are here in Egypt, but yet France is bleeding.

Save her.

Save your country.

Save the world.”

“How do I do such a thing?”

“War….”

Then the French general saw images of battles.

“Have the best weapons,

The best soldiers,

Lead by you, the best general.

Trample all who wish to destroy France.

Grab the throat of her enemies, and don’t let go until they are all uttering one word.

Viva la Francia!”

“I don’t understand.

Why do I need you then?”

The French general asked.

“What are you to all of this?”

The mysterious voice whispered back,

“Silly Frenchman. I will make it all happen.

I will be there with you as you drive the swords in the chest of your enemies.

When the cannons go off, I will lead them for the heads of your adversaries.

I will guarantee that none on this Earth shall ever beat you in a battle.

I can make you the greatest general who ever lived.”

The French general contemplated for a moment, for he did not know what to make of what he has been told.

“All you must do is give me your soul.

Give me who you are, and then I give you who I am.

I will then be with you.”

“I can do this without you, surely.”

Then appeared in front of the general a large black creature that can only be described as a monster.

It appeared to be with that of a face that had human elements, with two eyes, a mouth, and a nose, but that is all.

You did not notice the eyes or the mouth, or the nose, as the corpse-like nature of the creature took attention.

It was not a zombie though, nor even dead or alive.

This gray figure, had marks on its face, as though it was a rock more than any person, but the hollowness of its face suggest a spirit was there, not a physical being.

“You dare question a god!”

The French general’s face turned to white, as he had seen more than a ghost.

He had seen a being from the very depths of Hell.

The figure continued,

“I am the god of war! I conquer all who defy me!

Men are nothing to me.

I have poured more blood of men than there is ocean water.

Long before you were even born, I killed.

When you are gone, I will kill again.

And yet you dare question me!

You either leave this pyramid agreeing to our deal, or you don’t leave at all.”

Now crying, the French emperor wiped the tears from his eyes.

They were not tears of hurt, but fear.

“I will do it…” He agreed.

“For France, for my country, and my people.”

“They need a leader as selfless as you.”

And so Napoleon gave his soul to this war god that preyed upon him in the Pyramids.

That is why Napoleon never uttered a word to anyone about such an event.

For how do you tell people that you were forced to sell your soul?

You didn’t do it for fame or fortune, but because if you didn’t do it the creature threatening you would take your life.

Are you better with a life with no soul, and a chance to regain back your soul?

Or a soul with no life, and no chance to regain back your life?

I want to think that a part of Napoleon thought he could get his soul back when he was done with the conversation.

As he walked out of the pyramids, for a brief second, he believed enough in himself that somehow everything would be alright, regardless of how foolish such an idea can be seen now.

He thought that he truly could conquer the world, and then use that power to get his soul back.

He was not after Russia.

He didn’t want to save France.

He was creating an army strong enough so that he could march back into Egypt and declare that his soul for himself.

That is what I think of when I hear about Napoleon going to the pyramids.

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