The Kalip Woman
Allison Walters Luther
I am the Secret Keeper . It is I who guards the Temple . To all who seek , I whisper : “ Beware .”
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I flinch at the monotonous creaking of the rocking chair . Back and forth , back and forth , wood against wood , all day , every day . It is a tiresome activity , but still I rock . It is what is expected of me . Back and forth . Back and forth . My gaze shifts to a person standing out by the road , my heart caught by his sudden movement . I don ’ t know who it is , but even at this distance with these old eyes of mine , I can see that it is a man . I nod to myself , a thrumming tune leaving my lips to match his tight , deliberate steps as he approaches the stone steps on which I sit . I know what his questions will be : greed or pride or lust . They always are , and small and petty besides . Nothing much exciting happens in our dusty corner of the world . People are born , they live , they die . A few brave souls will try to leave , thinking , as fools so often do , that life will be better on the other side of the river . What ? You don ’ t think you can be both brave and a fool ? Have you never met a man ? A man will rush into battle against the fiercest of dragons , but then flee from the strong arms of a woman who loves him . Brave fools ,
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