The Radley Earrings, by Katherine Shirley

                                                   

 They left me in my resting place

With all the things they thought I'd need

They chose my clothes, and painted face

Picked out my best accessories

But these were not my favourite pair

Though gold they glitter on today

The curling edges chafed my ear

I'd sooner wear my mother's veil

Alas, my sister kept the best

And none did notice all the while

They layed me down to final rest

Imagining I'd wear a smile

With weapons that were home to me

My bow and arrows, ever fine

A solid pot to slake my thirst

They dressed me well to pass through time

So here I sit, what's left to view

Your image of my life, long lost

With understanding, almost true

Of style through objects built to last

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This poem has been written about the Radley Earrings which form part of the collection of British Archaeology finds at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

AN1944.122a-b  British Collection, European Pre-history gallery on the ground floor