Diana At the Ides of August, Part One

"Jesus said, 'Whoever finds the world and becomes rich, let him renounce the world.'" --- The gnostic Gospel of Thomas, Saying 110 "Jesus said, 'If you have money, do not lend it at interest, but give it to one from whom you will not get it back.'" --- The gnostic Gospel of Thomas, Saying 95 "The disciples said to Him, 'Your brothers and Your mother are standing outside.' He said to them, 'Those here who do the will of My Father are My brothers and My mother. It is they who will enter the Kingdom of My Father.'" --- The gnostic Gospel of Thomas, Saying 99 "'Jesus said, 'Who is near me is near the fire, and he who is far from me is far from the Kingdom.'" ---The gnostic Gospel of Thomas, Saying 82 *** Sunday, August 13 (ancient Roman feast day for the slaves). Somehow, Diana in tow, girlish and giggling, this endless summer, this summer vacation at the seashore. At first blush, behind clouds streaming roseate and golden, daylight's just breaking. (Another dawn, or is it always just the same one?) The pale flower of the nighttime, as well as of the day, the faraway full moon - still lingers, faint among faint stars in a pale blue sky growing. Gilded by a rising sun, the vast, restless sea streams back and forth, waves - rising and falling. A bell bouy, somewhere nearby, clangs as if a good distance away. Roused again, a pale scattering of seabirds cry and pipe. The waves roll and break, booming at the rocks at the shore. Beneath clouds tinged pearl and orange, a stiff wind meets the glittering water. It meanders, flowing back over the horizon. Seemingly endlessly from the four corners of the Earth, the seascape widens, flowing and whispering. It sighs, it merrily laughs, dejectedly weeps, even silently rages, for a while, in a perfect Gnostic Circle. Brightening, yet jet, an Infinitude of waves curl and crest, speak with one voice. At every point, from point to point, from each dark blue eddy, each stream and wave, each pale blue expanse manifesting, in the gathering morning light: Sounds from Deeper Depths Deeper Roots Every noble dream dreamed awake, dreamed asleep, As if in a dream, the sky, the sea, the wind, the birds roused and calling beckon. *** For what seems to be a long time, and with anticipation, Diana gazes far to the horizon awash, where the world is transformed and the Beast is slain again. With pale blue eyes deepest, She can see for miles.