A Boy's Transfiguration (part 19)
The glowing sun casts its gift
Kiara licks her lips
tastes the sweetness of dried fig
Artul lifts reddened eyes
rolls the tattered map scroll
points over the shimmering dunes
a merchants settlement beckons
they shuffle through the burning sand grains
adventurous hearts beat in excitement
they enter the village well spent
ring of palms stand sentinel
a hitch of camels and merchant's tent
jumble of dates and spices
and rows of glinting azure prizes
delicate embossed jewelry
a well nearby glistens it's spilled treasure
women sloshing water pure
casual movements fill jars of clay
children splash and play
Artul approaches the merchant
his jovial smile
poking through a great mane
a cloak of rich embroidery
hugs his shoulders
a golden scarab ring glimmers
its emerald eyes twinkle an amber hue
he points and waves them through
"Sir we require food and drink
from the cold dark night we slink
we have no coin for food or drink
yet we may provide
healing antidote and conjured flame
festering venomous bites drain"
The man's eyes darken
"What kind of sorcery is this!
Are you at one with the Jinn?
I'll call the guard!
have you done in!"
Kiara raises a hand
smiles with comfort
"No need for that dear friend
we carry only knowledge
bestowed by the ancients
the essence within us all
expressed through a chosen vessel
the true source
learned and trained
we mean you no ill
only our obligation to fulfill
then on our way
we shall go
with the camel trains winding flow"
the man's smile returns
"There is a boy here today
his hut burned to smoldering rubble
stays with his grandmother now
flesh melted down
from shoulder to wrist around
inside the mind he resides
oh tragedy!
he suffers a great anxiety!
sweltering in the shade
if you can heal his body
untangle his frightful mind
your needs I shall provide"
He waves a man over
motions Artul and Kiara to follow
they walk to a small clay smeared hut
move aside the tinkling beads
the boy lays on dingy cot
eyes wide in the dim candlelight
stares like one of sight lost
peering at the earthen floor
watches the shadow play
"We are here to help young one
but what vile ill troubles your heart?"
The boy begins to cry
The merchant's man mutters
"He will not leave this room
neither morn dusk nor noon"
Kiara sits next to him and croons
pats the boys shoulder
feels a vague shudder
"Do not be afraid
we are here to aid
you must release this terror
after all you've been through
here you remain
alive and true
within this false place
a womb of distorting delusion
you must recognize the illusion
pick up your body and drink
from the pool of courage and strength
animate yourself again
pass through the village and sing
with a heart like gulls on the wing!"
the boy sits up listening
puts on a brave face
"I'm so scared
I see only these giant flames
like fingers they are
trying to drag me in
they haunt like waking dreams
I am to be stuck forever
no want for fun or play
or any other thing each day"
Kiara casts a voice bold
"It is the mind which fools
like the thieving jackal
robs you of the last meal
casts you into dismay
here you must not stay
the time is now for glory
write your new heroic story
the fire within
the oppression
its pain a signpost warning
has become your master
you are not to accept its whim
let it wash over and through
though it comes again
it cannot reach your soul
for you are somewhere else
a greater plane
appearance just the sheen
a place of great beauty and power
then this dread and horror
it has become a mere bore
with a yawn become the way
watch those flames
and do not wither
this dancing pain
like medicine bitter
it is but the game
grown tiresome and same
you must now say
your little show is lame
I choose not that way"
Now are you ready?
Kiara pats his shoulder
he nods looking bolder
"I will summon the flame
and you will watch each breath
the sensation of fear
washes through you
yet you are not there
the flow of life
within your veins
is not the fuel or target
do not try to remove it
it is not fearful
just a dance of color and heat
like each breath of air
spontaneous
flowing in and out
this happening
life awakening
notice its beauty
its curious existence
even those
the fearful thoughts
you are the curious watcher
observing their movements
no intent or judgement
do not say within yourself
this is good or awful
or this brings wealth
only chew the mouthful
defining each flavor
you will not flee or freeze
you are the spirit within a breeze"
she opens her palm
a curling flame springs to life
a small flickering sphere
licking upwards at the patched roof
dripping flecks of burning ether
the boy recoils
turns back
watches it hover eyes trained
his face turns hard
a focused calm assuages
Kiara closes her palm
the flame bites her hand
leaves no wound
she does not cry out
her reflection appears
sharp as volcanic glass
the fire extinguishes
the boy smiles in triumph
wipes his wet eyes red
Kiara holds her palm
gentle motions over injured arm
the boy does not shy
her hand moves the ritual style
hums an ancient chant
a glowing verdant light brightens
licks the binding rite
healing flames seek at pores
restoring damaged cell doors
transmutes fear to wellness
a cool feeling winds his small limb
all is made whole again
the boy cries out in surprise
eyes wide with tearful gratitude
"Oh thank you! Thank you!
You are a beautiful angel
came to free
without a spark of hope
you saved me!"
he leaps up from the bed
dances and spins
until his little cheeks turn red
wraps himself about Kiara's legs
she ruffles his hair
a smile holds his face fair
the boy tears away
Kiara catches his gaze
"It is not I who frees boy
for you
who were already free
made believe you were enslaved"
the boy jumps and laughs
hugs everything he encounters
dashes and waves
then through the beads he weaves
to play and welcome mischief again
on a glittering mid-day whim.