Poetry & More

Once there was Darkness

Chapter 3

As Kol set preparing for yet another council meeting, his thoughts began to wonder. No amount of effort could help him focus on the task ahead. As he stood up, the room started to spin. He pushed the chair out of the way not realizing it made a loud noise. Regaining his balance was the prime objective. Breathing became difficult as he sank to his knees. Soon he was gasping. His vision was blurry.

Strong hands touched his shoulders, he heard distorted sounds. Who was touching him? He struggled against an image he couldn’t identify. More distorted sounds. Frego was in training. Kessa? His face was being held. More distorted sounds. Was it hands? He was holding on to something? Arms? He was able to fix his eyes on a white cloud. A white cloud? No. It was a halo? “Kessa?” He blurted out.

He heard her, “my king.” It was a muted whisper but it made it through his nightmare.

He choked on his words, “falling. I’m falling.”

She sat with her back against the heavy desk, before gently guiding him to her. “I’ve got you.” Wrapping her arms and legs tightly around him, she kept calmly telling him, “I’ve got you.” Her right hand, she placed over his heart. It was beating wildly. “My king, breathe deeply.” He tried. The deeper the breath the more he wanted to gag. “Let’s try something different.” She pulled him tighter against her, whispering in his ear. “Breathe in,” counted “one, two breathe out.” Over and over she repeated this calmly. After what seemed like half an hour of this, he started shaking. She pulled his hands to his chest, holding them in place. The shaking turned into light twitching. Then it was gone. It was only after the twitching stopped that she noticed he had fallen asleep.

His head was heavy as he began to wake up. Why was he in the floor? After looking around, he knew that it was Kessa’s arms and legs that were wrapped around him. It was her chest he had been laying on.

“How do you feel?” She whispered.

“Exhausted.” Was his honest reply. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure. With your permission, I’d like to get Rajaf to look into this farther.” He nodded no. “Will you allow me to help you to bed?”

His head wobbled. ‘No,’ his mind screamed. Resting his head back on her chest, he meant to say, ‘I’d like to stay here.’ Was he able to say it out loud? Did she hear him? Did she know he didn’t want to move? Couldn’t move. His body was heavy. Everything went dark.

A slight drumming noise filled the darkness. Rhythmic drumming. Soft, gentle. Where was this noise coming from? It surrounded him. But he wasn’t afraid. It was peaceful. He woke in the same spot where he remembered falling asleep. His head resting on her chest. Her arms and legs wrapped around him. The drumming noise was her heart beating. Her soft voice filled his ears, “how are you feeling?”

As he raised his head, it wasn’t heavy. The room wasn’t spinning. His vision wasn’t blurry. Once he was on his feet, he extended his hands to her. After a slight hesitation, she accepted. “Thank you, my king.”

“Did I hurt you?”

She blushed, “I don’t think so.”

“Will you tell me if I did?”

“I will.”

“Thank you,” he kissed the top of her hand.

A town called Mercy

Our pray group does “Monday School” lessons instead of Sunday School. When I was asked to write these, I had to do a tall lot of praying. 1. Because I’m still young in the faith. My knowledge base isn’t very deep. 2. I don’t want to say the wrong things to actually kill someone curiosity or turn them away from asking questions about religion or God. I work very had to make sure everyone that might read these knows that theses are based on my walk with Christ.

A town called Mercy

Dr. Who, “Violence doesn’t end violence, it extends it.” A town called Mercy, Dr. Who.

How much would the story of Jesus’ crucifixion changed if when the scene where the servants that had his ear cut in (Luke 22:50) turned into a blood bath? Swords clashing in the darkness. Blood soaking the ground. Now the Pharisees could add a laundry list of charges to Jesus and his disciples that were real.

This wasn’t the direction Jesus wanted his ministry to go. Hence, Jesus healed the servant. Yes, Jesus had some hard lessons for us humans. But he always did his teaching with love. Unless you were a money changer in the temple.

It is our nature to want to lash out at those who have wronged us. We want that person to hurt just as much, if not worse, than we were hurt. If we do this, the cycle of violence never ends. Anger begats anger. Hurt begats hurt.

So what do we do when we’ve been hurt? Luke 6:37 “Judge not and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Difficult I know. But doable. If Jesus can hang on the cross and say, “forgive them, they know not what they do.” Just imagine what you and I can do. Luke 23:34.

The Bible

http://www.jesusandizzyministries.org/

Once there was Darkness

Chapter 2

What was worse; the lack of sleep or dreaming? At this point Kol dreaded sleep. Sleep meant dreams. His body needed sleep. His mind didn’t need to dream. When the dream started there were no images, only voices.

“My king, I would like to develop a way for you and the Bejhar to communicate if we are ever in a situation where we can’t speak.” Kessa’s voice filled his mind.

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m not sure yet. Have you met Enda?”

“Only once.”

“She was born without the ability to speak. Her parents taught her how to read lips and write. Rajaf was telling me there is a book in the old library that teaches how to use our hands to make symbols out of letters and words in our language. I asked her if I could find the book if she would be interested?” There was a long pause.

“And?” Kol asked.

“Sorry, my king. She’s interested. Depending on what it is, I thought we could adapt it to our needs.”

“What about the codes we currently use?”

“I was thinking about something more in-depth. We could actually have a conversation. If need be.”

“Sounds interesting.”

“Thank you, my king.”

He let out a long sigh. “I dread tomorrow.”

“Council meeting?”

“It would be nice if you could be there.”

“My king, Max or I one are always there.”

He heard the change in his voice, “really?”

“It is our job to protect you. What better place for an attack than from people you never expected one from?”

“That’s not a pleasant thought.”

“It is our job to think of the unpleasant.”

“Who’s turn is it tomorrow?”

“Max.”

“Would you care to trade with him? It has nothing to do with his abilities.”

“Of course.”

“So you knew that I was being pressured to visit King Teo?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t feel it was my place. I reasoned that if you wanted to tell me, you would.”

Suddenly, he saw Kessa but from a great distance. She was standing on the edge of a cliff. The wind was blowing against her causing her dress to flow behind her. She was so beautiful. Had he ever seen her in anything other than her uniform? It was as if he was flying toward her. The closer he got the more beautiful she became. When he was in front of her, the look on her face was vacant. It filled him with a deep sadness. If what he saw next was what she was seeing, it was nothing. Just a white nothing. She was standing on the edge of a cliff. There should have been water, sky, clouds. She saw nothing. He felt empty and alone. A sudden urge filled him to jump. Just jump.

He felt tapping against his hand. ‘Wake up.’ It said. He woke with a start. The night was so very dark, empty. All he could do was lay there.

Come get me

I want to curl up inside you.

As I sit here freezing.

My bones dried out from the cold.

I want to feel all the warmth you have to give.

Run, run as long as the electricity allows.

Or until your motor dies, run.

Unthaw my cold skin.

My ice block feet.

My brittle toes.

Unthaw my cold nose.

My rigid fingers.

My tingling ear lobes.

You have the power.

Your glowing coils.

The fan that blows,

warm air my way.

Off and on all day.

As the thermostat plays.

Run! Run!

Glow! Glow!

Please, oh please – blow.

I want to curl up inside you.

As I sit here freezing.

My bones dried out from the cold.

Once there was Darkness

Chapter 1

Part 2

“Who is the leader of the Bejhar?”

Frego’s eyes got large and round. He looked at Max, whose face was reflecting his own expression. “Dad, you can’t be serious?”

“Why can’t I?”

“I find it hard to believe.”

“Believe and answer.”

“You’ve met a thousand times, at least.”

“That’s twice I’ve heard that today. Which, is not an answer.”

Frego looked at Max again with astonishment. “Father, I’ll be right back.” He all but ran from the library.

This wait was killing Max. He was so confused. How could the king not remember who his commander was? The person that has saved the kings life many times. Had carried him off the field of battle because no one else would dare touch him.

The king and Max heard Frego’s voice in the hall. Max stared blankly at the coat of arms in the middle of the room as the door opened. Frego entered with another person who was dirtier than Max. This new person stood slightly to the left and a few steps more into the room than Max.

“My king.” The voice that spoke was soft, feminine.

As the king rose from his seat, there was a burning in his stomach. When he was face to face with this person, she lifted her eyes. Blue eyes. A blue that burned deep into the king’s soul. He felt as if she could see right through him. For a moment, he was speechless. It was only when she lowered her glance that the king could speak. “Leave us.”

Max and Frego lowered their heads and left quickly.

“Why can’t I remember you?”

“All things happen in God’s time, my king.”

He was taken aback by her answer and wasn’t quite sure how to respond. As he walked back to the desk, he pointed at a chair opposite his, “join me.”

“If my king wouldn’t mind, I will stand. The caretaker might be offended if I leave the contents of my garments on his polished chair.”

“Why do I feel some animosity toward you?”

“I’m afraid I wouldn’t know, my king.”

He returned to his chair with a heavy sigh, “would you just talk to me?”

She left the room for a moment returning with a black piece of fabric, draping it over the chair before sitting down. “What would you like to talk about, my king?”

“You.” She started to repeat herself but the king raised his hand stopping her. He rubbed his face with his hands before speaking. He was tired. “Sleep hasn’t been my companion of late.” His stare was in her direction but not at her. The words that he wanted to say hung in the air around his head but he couldn’t catch them to make sense of what he needed to say.

“I know.”

He raised an eyebrow, “how?”

“It’s my job.”

“Am I allowed to know your name?”

“Kessa, my king.”

“Kessa. Thank you.” He got up and left the room.

She glanced at the desk before leaving the room herself. The king was studying maps of Mecca when his father ruled. Under Kol’s leadership, the city had grown. For the time being, he was able to pace the growth so that their world didn’t collapse into chaos.

https://byjolenerice.wordpress.com/2023/01/04/once-there-was-darkness/

10th Street

I pass this sign almost every day.

Attention, I do not pay.

After 2 years of passing this sign;

in my mind, I resign-

to the fact I can’t remember.

A dying ember.

10th Street, nothing grand.

Attention, it does not command.

Who fell in love under the 10th street sign?

Who said, ‘this spot is fine’?

Now the 10th street sign as seen it’s share of life.

The fighting couple. Causing each other strife.

Trash. Take-out containers, cups, litter galore.

But the day to day is really a bore.

No one really pays attention to 10th Street.

Not even me. Where my days are on repeat.

Once there was Darkness

Introduction

Once there was Darkness is a story that I have been working on for a long time.

My journey to Christianity has been a roller coaster. I tried to pepper this story with Bible verses and religious vibes to help me along my path.

I’m only going to post small sections at a time but they are in order as written.

This work has gott’en me through a lot. I have had needed but painful experiences in my personal life that have been poured into my characters.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I will post a section every other day.

Once there was Darkness

Overview

There are two main characters in this story King Kol and Kessa.

Journey along with Kol has God reintroduces him to his past through dreams. Get to know Kessa as she helps Kol get back to God. We all need some help along life’s path.

Romans 3:23 NKJV “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

NKJV: New King James Version

Once there was Darkness

Chapter 1

Part 1

Max was called to the library. He didn’t have time to change before answering his king’s call. Covered in sweat, dirt, and in desperate need of a bath, he made his way down toward the inner rooms. His king had called so he had to go no matter the state of his person. Before opening the heavy wooden door, he took a deep breath for courage. Upon entering he found the king, bent over a table, studying what looked like old maps.

Max joined the soldiers when he was 6, barely able to hold a sword. Starting out as a tobey, he fetched and carried, sharpened swords, and made arrows. At 16, his real training started. Then on his 21st birthday, he was asked to join the Bejhar. The king’s bodyguards. A fairly new branch of the army with 20 of Mecca’s finest.

He and the king had both gotten older and prayerfully wiser.

“Max, good morning.” Kol pulled out a chair. “I’ve pulled you from training.”

Max glanced at the floor, then at his king. “It is alright my king. How may I be of service today?”

“I have had a question on my mind for some time now. The answer is right on the tip of my tongue.” He sat down. “However, I don’t have the answer. Who is the leader of the Bejhar?”

All of the air was suddenly sucked out of the room, including Max’s lungs. “My king?” He could barely speak.

“Surely you know the person that commands you?” Max was in shock. The king lifted an eyebrow, “is it a life or death secret and you can’t tell me for fear of dismemberment, death, what?”

“My king, shock. You have met a thousand times over the course of your life.”

“We have?”

At that moment, Frego burst into the library. When he noticed Max; he spoke, “father, I’m very sorry,” and turned to leave.

“Wait,” the king called for him. “Perhaps you will answer my question since Max refuses to.”

The look on Max’s face was one of shock and confusion. Frego knew something was wrong. Max wouldn’t defy his king like that.

“I will try, my father.”

Notes

Really?!

Is there anything worse than standing in line at the grocery? Especially when you’re on your lunch break; every lane is taken by people with carts overflowing with food. Even the 15 items or less lanes. Heaven forbid that stores enforce the 15 items or less policy.

Because we want the almighty dollar, we aren’t going to make customers wear a mask either. What Covid? I was beyond frustrated. So what’s a girl to do? Suck it up. Rant in your head and impatiently wait my turn. I hate going to the grocery. I’m never going to get out of here. They should have a special line for people on their lunch. But they wouldn’t enforce it either. I used to get up early and go before work. That turned out to be a hot mess too.

“This is a load of horse, bull, chicken, piled high manure!” The man behind me reached around me pulling a magazine off the rack and started angrily turning the pages. “I don’t know what’s worse; the garbage they print or the people that buy it?” He looked up from his outburst, “I’m sorry. This just grates my last nerve. There used to be integrity in journalism. Now it’s all about ratings and money. “

I smiled, in my head I said, ‘he has a mask on. Oh yeah.’ Outwardly I said, “It’s okay, I agree. I think you should get fired if you report garbage. And I don’t think your opinion is news.” I’m not really big on talking to strangers. But why not, this line isn’t moving.

“What‘s going on today? Why are there so many people out?”

I didn’t miss a beat, “zombie apocalypse.” Even with a mask on, I could tell he wanted to bust out laughing. My stomach let out some very rude sounds.

“Lunch break?” He asked.

“For what it’s worth.”

“I know we just met but if you’re up for it, I’d like to introduce you to my boss. I think you too would hit it off.”

“Why not?”

“Here’s my card.” It was a plain white card with a phone number written in black ink.

Now I know what your thinking, ‘what could be weirder than hooking up with someone in the grocery aisle?’ This situation didn’t make me feel weird. No little red flags went off in my brain. This could be interesting. Plus if dude likes his job he’s not going to introduce his boss to someone that’s gonna spoil that setup. “Thank you.” Finally it was my turn; I paid for my lunch, turned to the stranger, “have an amazing day. I’ll be calling soon.”

PSY 101

When I was in college, my Psy 101 professor and I got into the debate over looking down. ‘Only people with low self esteem looks at the ground. Look up. Look forward. Meet the world head on with confidence.’ His story.

My story; there are interesting things on the ground. At most, I have found $100 at one time. There are objects to conjure the imagination.