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

The Ruba’iyat of Créteil Lake – Part Twenty-One Meantime the Faithful gathered for prayer sans delusions His Holiness excused himself for the usual ablutions -- The Commandant backtracked to an official car for pow-wow -- Lights dimmed as indoor lights were turned on for inspections Starch stiff blue-black uniforms and sleek arms rallied round the mosque Throttled roads with dark coaches and cars loomed rocambolesque The sullen force trudged in from the east over Her matted tresses Town and national route entrances choked with armour and lock Within the hour as prayer murmur surged up to the dome Polished cars of expensive make gathered as pious gnome On sidewalks banks driveways all roadways had chockfull become Till even the national route alongside to standstill succumb His Holiness at the forefront of flock strode out in regalia While all around the standing blocks rose faithful echolalia: “Our Lord Master of Security bids us thus announce: In the Name of the People: Habeas Corpus inter alia “On Sha’ban 27, 1431 A. H. mentions This writ one miscreant ‘Omar’ given to calculations…” “STOP!” declaimed the Imam, “I have to proceed with chour!” And thus turned on his heels to lead the congregations. © T. Wignesan – Paris, 2014