“And with the shape of you I people night,
and thoughts of hot desire grow live within me.
What magic was it in that voice of yours
to bring such singing vigor to my flesh,
To limbs which now lie listless on my bed without you?”

— from “I Love You Through the Daytimes”, ancient Egypt, Ramesside Period (1292 BCE - 1070 BCE), translated by John L. Foster in Ancient Egyptian Literature: An Anthology

As may be obvious I’m looking through several books of ancient Egyptian literature at the moment. I’m really enjoying the love poems. What always drives me to read ancient literature is the sense of connection despite unimaginable gulfs of time. I’d never downplay the cultural differences or my interest in them, but there are some things that don’t change much (although attitudes and perceptions of them may change) and love is one of them. And the communication of that love across the millenia makes me absurdly happy and full of awe at the same time. (via youneedacat)