when I do what i do not want to do once and again and again i do not see the chains that bind but feel their weight and pull leaving me oh so very sad i long to forge the bond that ties me to You cinch me tight buckle me to your heart where your blood hums its song of songs and mine harmonizes swelling forth in conscious joy.
RWOz2
The triphammer
Of time
Pounds out
The rhythm
Which my mind
Chases
To fashion
The rhyme
Over and over
To fill
The refrain
The feelings
Rising
Nought
Can restrain
All to
Forge links
Twixt heart
And the brain.
RWOz2
We set out immediately to answer Reuben’s call. Mei had caught us up on the problem (she did not return with us, but will guide the Purser and the last group out).
My heart was heavy at the news of a traitor among Reuben’s charges.
Providentially Quasimo had returned, so he accompanied us. (He will see us and Reuben’s group through the dangers ahead). He kept quiet while Elijah and I discussed the options.
First thing on our arrival, Reuben insisted we hold off till this morning to allow tempers to cool. One man in particular is consumed with vengeance and was stoking the others’ indignation.
Our decision was unanimous. We’ll leave the traitor incarcerated when we move out tomorrow.
It happened much as Elijah planned.
We entered Jerusalem with the morning crowds. And made our way to its heart. There were depictions of Stan on every side. Much nicer than the paper posters we’d seen to date.
And soldiers stood guard on every street, scrutinizing every passerby.
In fact, one left his post to follow us. Elijah took the attention in stride. I moved to keep myself between the two. And to shield Elijah.
We emerged onto the Temple court and there Elijah announced to the multitudes the continuation of the drought. And closed his announcement with the promise of its deepening.
A great roar of anger arose.
And the guard made to seize us, but we were gone.
The visions continued. And were more and more upsetting. One by one the people who have been closest to us on our pilgrimage appeared to my mind’s eye, and then slipped from view into a roiling darkness. And my heart was wrung by a great sadness.
Then those images were blotted out by a blizzard of crimson snow. A phenomenon that proved real upon the opening of my eyes.
I ran towards Elijah then on watch, up on the rock outcropping. We met on the rock shelf as he was descending.
We took what shelter was afforded by the outcropping.
And there we conferred.
Elijah reported that it had only just started. And inquired if I had anything to share.
We are descending. Not from the mountains, that is certain. Just into a space at a lower elevation than the peaks around. And signs of habitation therein raises our curiosity.
Even now Tomas has left us to see what he can see. The Captain advises again to go around rather than through.
I walked and talked with Mei all day. She laid bare her heart and even now holds out hope. This despite word from all quarters, save Tomas himself for he has been avoiding her.
I intend to speak to Elijah about this, but I am sure he will tell me that it is up to Tomas to make his intentions clear.
Thus the torture continues for poor Mei.
(Would like to thank whomever put the basis of this graphic together. But could not locate him/her. Hope they would approve my tweaking of it).
Look into my heart
See the gladness there
My world is in your smile
We lift praise to Him
Who revealed His Heart
Joy bursts forth from There
Heaven is in His Smile.
RWOz2
Upon rising this morning a melody filled my heart and soon a song of praise to the One was on my lips. It was a brand new song, one I had never heard before.
Elijah was greatly cheered by it. He said it portended awesome things for the day ahead. We both took eagerly to the road again.
Our mood changed when we passed a temple built beside the way just outside the third village. Slaughtered bodies lay all around its premises. Like the others we’d seen, it had been plundered, emptied out of valuables. Unlike the others, the attendees had resisted. And paid for resisting.
And likely as a consequence when we entered the third village it was deserted.
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