The Awakened
By: Alma Posted on: July 20, 2007
Though written from a very personal point of view, the following is a tale that is very common amongst Achaeans everywhere. ==================================== I. I gasp for air as I awake, As though from a dream, My soul is revived, My body; redeemed. My surroundings are familiar, But not the same; A shadow of what was, But has now been changed. I stand on Shallam Road By Eastern Row The whitewashed houses Stand brightly aglow II. Passersby from Fish Street Turn and look me Some faces show pity, Others; mockery. I look down at myself And realization dawns, I am standing naked, My clothing--gone! I reach for a pack That is no longer there, I search for my gold But find only air. O, Cruel Time! You cunning Thief! I sink down into a corner Overcome with grief. III. "Levana! Levana!" I call out for my friend My guardian angel, Sworn protector to the end. For a brief moment I fear I've lost her too, I lower my head With sadness imbued. A gentle touch caresses My shoulder and back, I look up; my eyes adjust To the bright face smiling back. Glittering warm light Dances across my face As my dear friend Hands me my spiritual mace. IV. My divine advocate Glowing at my side, I stand up and Swallow my pride. Time to start fresh, Time to begin anew, I grip my mace tightly Knowing what to do. My body has aged, The years have passed me by, My mind is foggy And my old bones painfully sigh. It's back to the basics, And that is that, I turn to the subdivision To find some rats. V. Starve to death naked Or be a humble ratter, I had no choice but to Choose the latter. I smote street vermin Until my arms were weak, I ratted until I heard the echo In my dreams of rats' squeak. Then, covered in blood and sweat, I set off in a daze For the Medina and it's Market Maze. It is there that I come Face to Face With a familiar man In a familiar place. VI. Ashamedly I step forward And greet Crazy Hakhim, He didn't say a word, Ignoring me it seemed. I cleared my throat And he turned around I blushed and showed him The rats I'd found. I stood awkwardly Attempting to cover my shame "Don't worry about it" Hakhim gruffly exclaimed. He handed me my gold And once again spoke "I tend to get a lot of Poor naked folk." VII. I gratefully took the gold And ran to the nearest shop Bought simple clothes And a mutton chop. My mind was racing, But was finally clear This is still the Sapience I held so dear. I'm ready to begin My Life Anew My body is ready And my soul's Renewed!