hkadman
-
Tuesday, November 13 2007
|
I ask your Anita for being so late,
My country is Israel and though there aren't any specific guidelines, one has to study in a creative writing course by one of our known authors, or have exceptional ties - which I for instance don't have. Thanks for letting me post a sample for our colleagues' benefit and 'verdict', here it is:
Jehenem
I’m in Jehenem, in hell. I love the sound of that Arabic word, it’s a plagiarism in fact of Ghehynom in my mother’s tongue. You know Ben-Hynom’s valley on the east side of old Jerusalem’s wall, where the priests used to throw once a year two scapegoats down the gorge – to atone for our entire nation sins.
Well it’s a huge parking lot with a cement floor, not a car in sight and not a soul around – but me.
I played that game of walking straight on with shut eyes. I was doing fine till I bumped into the electric fence and was thrown back with such a force, that sent me flying like a missile across that damn parking lot.
I landed near it’s gate, next to the sentry’s small hut. I stood up right away, nothing happened – as nothing could have happened I’m dead you know. I peeped inside the hut and saw a huge demon sitting there without a chair, on his huge hinds and his massive tail. He looked like a kangaroo with a human face – ugly as hell!
‘Yes, haven’t you read the rules?’ He asked watching me a bit surprised.
‘The rules?’
‘Take a step back.’
I took a step back and saw a board with three rules:
1. Back off.
2. Don’t bother the sentry.
3. Return to your eternal freedom.
If that’s freedom I’m a vase of flowers. I thought disappointed.
‘I’d like to cross the gate for a short while.’ I said to the demon.
‘What for?’
‘To have a look around.’
‘Is that what bothers you, the highways, the junctions, the trucks, cars and accidents outside – haven’t you had enough of it?’
‘I’m bored to death here, I want to feel again the embrace of human society, I want to satisfy my senses once again…’
‘Society, jealousy, disputes, endless quarrles is that what you miss, and I thought you were wise; and besides it’s impossible we shall have to dress your soul with flesh and bones, nerves, blood vessels, skin and the lot – it’s an impossible job.’
‘What if I sneak out and break the rules?’
‘You’ll be expelled of paradise!’ He warned me.
‘Paradise…? I thought I was in hell.’
‘Hell is outside.’ Said the demon with a chuckle.
It's a dream like episode that criticizes our modern life. I do hope you'll find it interesting.
Haim