The case of mistaken identity put to rest by the Imam. Once again, the Commandant fails to deliver the Writ for Ol' Khayyam's arrest...

The Ruba’iyat of Créteil Lake – Part Thirty-One

The Tent-Vendor’s son kept whining and wailing on the road
Such that none could even hear their own thoughts mocking aloud:
“Now what doth yon Sirrah untimely break open our contained Faith!”
Exclaimed the High Prelate, white crown-band an overwhelming load

“Sire!” called a yea-sayer, “He crieth like some thwarted fiend!
For – says he – his war service won him neither medal nor friend.”
“And what might that service be?” – thundered the Imam all fired.
“At thirteen ball-bearing catapult blew a légionnaire’s mind!”

“Allah! Forbid! Come to judgment! Free this miscreant’s soul!”
All around the sacred ground ‘Insch’allah!’ echoed the Faithful!
Eyes fixed on sky, the Imam cried: “Can such be true ?” Loud silence reigned.
Up stepped the Commandant, “Yes, Your Holiness! Word, deed and all!”

“Our files attest to this forfeiture: he now works for us!
On the list of the Franquist Woman he collects détritus!”
“Our mind boggles: why wouldst thy sworn enemy now be thine?”
“Thwarted enemies make the best enemies of enemies!”

“Sire! Whilst we are on the subject, I beg Thy condescension:
Habeas corpus ad subjiciendum… Ibrahim’s son…”
“STOP! Will’st thou refrain from thine use of Canon and Sceptre!
Here on consecrated soil it’s beyond our comprehension!”

© T. Wignesan – Paris, 2014