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

The Ruba’iyat of Créteil Lake – Part Twenty-Three Is it true the sun dared cock its eye over the hillocks Nor did it with affront sink into raging Atlantic docks Such the glare of armoured headlights singeing the mist-crowned mosque Though the assembled hosts ogled the Furies with hidden locks The Faithful knelt with heads humbled down facing best the mihrab Be it on sidewalks thoroughfares parking lots or slab Calling out in strength: “Allah! Le Clément et Le Miséricordieux!” Hundreds of thousands of hungry voices rose in one gift of gab Faced down by Darling Dears Robo-Cops looked lively about them When outstepped prayer-full worshippers in composed phlegm – From out the Chief’s official car rushed the dazed Commandant: “Tarry yet, Gentle Folk, bid His Holiness to our errand come!” The Senior Mosque Administrator decked in robes and headgear Spake out in measured tones grave and strict amid silence dear: “The Prophet’s Servant hath just now gained his hard-earned quarters Whence at this very hour breaks the fast with sacred bread pure!” Bison Futé traffic reporters echoed “panic stations” in tears Safe for one route leading from Pyrenées to tell-tale Poitiers Retreat was no longer feasible: bylanes to broadways Lay clogged with shiny metal and armour-plated zigzag gears. © T. Wignesan – Paris, 2014