This story came to me is a half wake and sleep state. It is almost as if I was traveling to this far of place.
Girl in Red
I was sailing across the wind very fast in a shallow boat, not much more than a plank, Weaving left and right as if to keep balance, but all the time being pulled along at speed, At times, as if skating on this plank at the water’s edge, weaving my way along this water course.
Without even noticing, I then realised, I was on a road dusty and dry, still traveling at speed. After some time, the road became paved, and my speed slowed right down.
Soon I noticed a small village up ahead, buildings built of rock or stone in shapes regular like blocks, Now driving through the street, at one point, there were many people outside, some of these were wearing all black clothing, with and enormous head dresses some two or three feet high, I thought, it must have been cumbersome to support.
I was beckoned inside a large room, where a table was set for three, I sat and was encouraged to eat, and did so with pleasure. Another person sat next to me, looked at the food, and said, “This is just dry corn bread”, and as if insulted left the table.
I overheard another person near to the table make some negative comment, I piped in, and said something like, “let deeds not words be your adorning”, and, “let him who is without sin cast the first stone”.
Almost immediately a young girl wearing a red dress walked across the table and sat on my lap. I asked her how old she was, she replied looking into my eyes, holding up three fingers. I asked, “Where is your mum?” and she pointed to a woman with another child in hand across the room. “Where is your dad”? and she shook her head.
This young girl was happy to stay in my arms as I spoke to others and walked around, I thought this young girl was very mature for her age.
The crowd was dwindling, and the mother and two children were ushered into a barred room in one corner of the courtyard. I asked to another person, “What is this place?”, he said “It is the mother and baby room”.
They were locked in the room.
Looking through the small, frosted window I could see them inside.
After people had left, I conspired to release them from their prison.
Luigi Giuseppe Vittorio
14 March 2023 4.30am