The Ruba'Iyat of Creteil Lake - Part Thirty

The Ruba’iyat of Créteil Lake – Part Thirty While the Mullah versed in the Hadith and fiqh harangued his flock All over the milling crowds outside plastic cups did hands lock By four even before the dazzling Cyclop-eye pierced the gloom The mosque’s Administrator convened a crisis meeting ad hoc: “Be it known from this hour forth no more couscous nor green tea Will be served for our stocks – thanks to chefs – stand consumed empty The hallal shelves at malls’ “Square-Oven” and “Prix-de-Chef” stores Stand undermined transparent since noon this Faithfuls jamboree!” The King of Morocco promised his palace tea consignments The Begum Ali her weight in gold for present requirements Local residents boiled water to brew other sachet scents A steady stench rose like humus vapours for lack of toilet vents Rowdy commotions outside drowned the holy deliberations To bring the harrowed Mullah out on the Faithfuls’ positions: Braying half-Turk clad in jellaba borne over heads by hands Wan Quixotic head with beard wobbling through elucubrations: “Set not this Tent-Maker Miscreant on consecrated land Let drop this putrid loin of meat on tarmac or public sand!” “Sire!” quoth the Administrator, “This be no Tent-Maker’s son! Forsooth, he’s of no other than the Tent-Vendor’s vagrant band!” © T. Wignesan – Paris, 2014