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.”
~
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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