Martha Davis, a housewife from Bend, Oregon was a volunteer excavator at Tell Michal. Despite the sentiments expressed in the following poem, Mrs. Davis wrote us that, “We really did enjoy our week at Tell Michal.” It was just the heat she didn’t like, accustomed as she was to living at 3600 feet above sea level in the cool northwest.—Ed.
The flight that we took Over land and blue sea Just wasn’t as glamorous As they said it would be.
Fifteen hours in a seat No matter how plush Gives one’s derriére A permanent sqush.
We arrived on the Sabbath To a land drenched in sun But they neglected to tell us: On that day—buses don’t run!
Our cabbie—at $10.00— Never heard of the camp— After two hours of searching, We arrived worn out and damp:
To discover the staff Was gone in its bus— We couldn’t spend the night there. They’d forgotten about us!
I tell you at fifty I have no desire For a small outdoor privy Or even a cold shower.
So— We stayed in a hotel With four walls and a door Instead of a tent With sand for a floor.
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We got up at four Caught the bus to the tell— And at 8:30, breakfast— It was hotter than ———!
But we picked with our pick; And we dug with our hoe. We cleaned up our balks— And we prayed “Let us go!”
We found lots of sherds, But not really much more. We dug up the garbage— They had thrown out the door!
So—after a week Of sweat, salt and sand, I decided it was time To change my life’s plan.
I guess I’m fulfilled Without a tell in my life— And I’m really content— To be a housewife!
Martha Davis, a housewife from Bend, Oregon was a volunteer excavator at Tell Michal. Despite the sentiments expressed in the following poem, Mrs. Davis wrote us that, “We really did enjoy our week at Tell Michal.” It was just the heat she didn’t like, accustomed as she was to living at 3600 feet above sea level in the cool northwest.—Ed. The flight that we tookOver land and blue seaJust wasn’t as glamorousAs they said it would be. Fifteen hours in a seatNo matter how plushGives one’s derriéreA permanent sqush. We arrived on the SabbathTo a land drenched in sunBut […]
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