Sink into dream; these enchanted depths / The realm of muted wisdom

[simon-klavec.livejournal.com]

Slowly descend; trust ignites the darkness
And bliss is this drowning moment.

Day 144, Thursday October 23rd
Earliest morning
Another place

I feel his blade sweep down and there's something there, just close enough to touch and just enough like me I reach out and... I'm in another place.

I reach up and the scar's there. Long and thin on my cheek, getting ragged as I reach the bone. Bumpy above my eye, where the blade or the horn dug into bone. It's quiet here. Green sward. A barrow mound, with a monument. Can't see what's written, here. Just a pillar in the distance. Walk towards it, and I'm there. Low mound of earth, covered in grass. Dolmen archway for an entrance, framed in unhewn stone. The monument rises behind it. Don't have the words for its form. It bears the name of everything ever loved. Ah. Know every name, there. It is a long list.

The ground slopes before the barrow entrance, and I walk down. There's a pool in a hollow before the barrow deep and dark, ringed with stones. Look down.

Reflection stares back. It's me. The hood of my robe is thrown over my brow, and I push it back. Look young. No, ageless. Slim and strong, masculine and womanly. It's almost strange, for a moment. But it is me. The shade of my wings darkens the reflection then. Look up. There's sunlight, but clouds are moving. Coming. Somewhere there is a storm. There are many deaths, and something in the thought makes me raise my gaze. Smile. "Hello, Hope," I say kindly. Lay the scythe - no, hammer - down, and walk around the pool. In the distance cities burn, but here it is quiet.

[Open to Hope]
[Closed]

Comments

[simon-klavec.livejournal.com]

"Be careful," she says with fear in her voice. "If you died... What'd 'appen to everyone else? When they died?" I shake my head. "I do not know. Angels have died, but not all touch the world in the same way. Think maybe people would still die, but it would not bring them peace." But given my final duty, I am not sure I can die, not like I have seen my brothers go.

She wrinkles her forehead, thinking on my question. "I dunno," she says. "'E don' want yer love, I s'pose. Wonder if 'e could ever go back t'bein' 'ow 'e was afore all this."

Never thought on that, not really. The idea of him wanting it seems absurd. But the hope of it, there... I smile. "You are well named, Hope." Lay back and spread out my arms and wings, looking up into the sky. The storm clouds are still gathering close. But there's still light, and the rain hasn't come.

[hopeorfaith.livejournal.com]

"I do not know. Angels have died, but not all touch the world in the same way. Think maybe people would still die, but it would not bring them peace."

I shiver at that. Lawks, they might all be lost, all 'em souls, wi' no one to guide 'em 'ome... Realise I've sorta snuggled 'gainst Azrael again at th'thought o'that. Don' want 'im to be lost to us.

But what I say 'bout 'is brother seems to make 'im smile at least. Unfurls 'is wings an' lays back on th' grass, lookin' at the sky. I lie back with 'im an' look up. Clouds are movin' fast, but the sky's still bright.

"Hope 'n Faith. That's what me mum called us. Knew she was goin' t'die, I think, after we was born. Doc 'ad to cut 'er open to get us out, an' th'wound got infected after. But she loved us even though we 'urt 'er, Dad said, an' I believe 'im. An' that's why I can love you, even wi' your job. An' why you can love yer brother." Turn onto me side. "Even if one day yer goin' to take 'im 'ome, too." S'pose if everythin's goin' t'end, even the devil'll feel the scythe.

Lean in a bit boldly an' kiss 'im on the lips. Would be lyin' if I said it were jus' friendly, but it ain't like I expect anythin'. It's cos I can't think of anythin' else I can give 'im, so let that be my offerin'.

[simon-klavec.livejournal.com]

She shivers and leans closer. Lays back with me and follows my gaze up. "Hope 'n Faith. That's what me mum called us. Knew she was goin' t'die, I think, after we was born. Doc 'ad to cut 'er open to get us out, an' th'wound got infected after. But she loved us even though we 'urt 'er, Dad said, an' I believe 'im. An' that's why I can love you, even wi' your job. An' why you can love yer brother." She turns and looks at me. "Even if one day yer goin' to take 'im 'ome, too."

I wonder at that. I come for all things. Never really thought on what it would be like, coming for my brothers. For him. I glance to where the pillar stands. Wonder if his name would show, there, if any could truly know him and love him still.

Hope bends to me and kisses me. I lay my hand on her cheek. "You don't have to give me anything, Hope. Not if you don't want. I am nothing to be worshipped - just a servant, a messenger."

[hopeorfaith.livejournal.com]

Smile a bit at 'im.

"'Ad to do a lot o'things I di'n't want to," I say. "Part of bein' 'uman, I s'pose. But I ain't ever given my 'eart if I ain't wanted to." I lean on me elbow. "I'll try not t'worship you. Might be difficult," I admit, "cos you - are like nothin' I ever saw. An' you 'ave such grace." I smile again. "But if you don't want a worshipper, I'll be yer friend, an' gladly."

[simon-klavec.livejournal.com]

Hope smiles at me. "'Ad to do a lot o'things I di'n't want to," she says. "Part of bein' 'uman, I s'pose. But I ain't ever given my 'eart if I ain't wanted to." She props herself up on her elbow and looks down at me. "I'll try not t'worship you. Might be difficult, cos you - are like nothin' I ever saw. An' you 'ave such grace." Lips quirk at me. "But if you don't want a worshipper, I'll be yer friend, an' gladly."

Smile. Can do without the temptation of worship. Humans should not worship me. Sit up a bit and kiss her back. She tastes like sweet roses.