The Ruba'Iyat of Creteil Lake - Part Thirty-One

The Ruba’iyat of Créteil Lake – Part Thirty-One The Tent-Vendor’s son kept whining and wailing on the road Such that none could even hear their own thoughts mocking aloud: “Now what doth yon Sirrah untimely break open our contained Faith!” Exclaimed the High Prelate, white crown-band an overwhelming load “Sire!” called a yea-sayer, “He crieth like some thwarted fiend! For – says he – his war service won him neither medal nor friend.” “And what might that service be?” – thundered the Imam all fired. “At thirteen ball-bearing catapult blew a légionnaire’s mind!” “Allah! Forbid! Come to judgment! Free this miscreant’s soul!” All around the sacred ground ‘Insch’allah!’ echoed the Faithful! Eyes fixed on sky, the Imam cried: “Can such be true?” Loud silence reigned. Up stepped the Commandant, “Yes, Your Holiness! Word, deed and all!” “Our files attest to this forfeiture: he now works for us! On the list of the Franquist Woman he collects détritus!” “Our mind boggles: why wouldst thy sworn enemy now be thine?” “Thwarted enemies make the best enemies of enemies!” “Sire! Whilst we are on the subject, I beg Thy condescension: Habeas corpus ad subjiciendum… Ibrahim’s son…” “STOP! Will’st thou refrain from thine use of Canon and Sceptre! Here on consecrated soil it’s beyond our comprehension!” © T. Wignesan – Paris, 2014