Velamen: Canto V

“Dr. Dubois,” stumbling over my words “W-w why are you here?”

I’m honored, but your presence fills me with fear.

The little man turned, as we trekked away from the hill

And dispassionately replied “You ask as though I journeyed here of my will.”

Your transgressions are as crimson as yet you ask me my position.

You were exposed to punishments that would leave you in derision

And yet the initial incision of your inquiry is what led you and I to this collision.

Could it be that forces beyond our comprehension

Demand us to answer questions of higher significance?

This isn’t all that there is, nor as low as things get

Ponder the path of thy feet young one, or you might miss it.

He sighed deeply, and I averted my eyes after his stinging scolding.

He continued, “Come, wash in the river, for time is always shortening.”

We descended the hill in silence

He then pointed the way to waters to cleanse my body’s violence.

I expected to hit the waters, and face the Father with open hands

But even after my immersion, I still arose a broken man.

My wounds had healed, my scars had faded.

Blood washed off, cloth regenerated.

But the stench of prison remained, recurrent trauma unabated.

I stood in the midst of the water, wondering if pain was fated.

That my seed and I would need to bear or would we be aided

And abetted in order to settle with one we’re in debt with? 

No revelation came to mind as I sat in the river 

Behind me stood the other, observing with a watchful eye,

As a parent watching a toddler bathe,

Attentive to its every cry.

He then cleared his voice, and said, “It’s time,

To darker paths we must go, to a lost conscious we’re seeking to find.”