The Scribe and the Lotus

The Scribe and the Lotus by Bakr Fahmy is a historical fiction novel set in ancient in Egypt in the years 2169 – 2167 BC. The main character is a Scribe called Thut-Nefer, who constantly attempts to become one with or achieve his Maat, which “creating truth and upholding the balance”. In other words, he strives for justice and its application.

The story tackles ancient Egypt where King Ibi and his governors wreak of corruption, greed and injustice, where poverty is prevalent and where the people hope that justice would be served one day; “Corruption is eating at us, from the inside out.” (p. 35)

The pace of The Scribe and the Lotus is slow, as it mostly deals with Thut-Nefer’s reflections, thoughts and philosophy concerning the ancient texts he has memorized. The blue lotus flower is a dominant theme throughout the novel and it always appears as a source of relaxation, meditation and revelation. It has a strong effect on Thut-Nefer and allows him to transcend the boundaries of human life. The novel mixes philosophy with politics and modern-day problems.

There are several instances of rise in tension such as the disappearance of Nar, Thut-Nefer’s friend, and the appearance of the jackal but these instances only act as a means to push the novel forward.

The novel is filled with beautiful imagery – many of which are associated with the blue lotus flower. Amongst these images are “The scribe’s mind is as sharp as the ibis’s beak and can draw blood, especially when it’s being provoked.” (p. 15); “That girl has a special magic about her. It must be from her perpetual contact with the lotus, as if the plant entwines itself around her body and soul, creating a unison of the seen and the unseen, finally blossoming into one singularly beautiful flower… When I stare into this blue lotus blossom’s brilliance, my eyes become imbued with her very essence, her light. When I breathe in her sacred fragrance, my nostrils dilate as if I’m standing at the Other World’s garden gate.” (p. 63).

One of the significant images in the novel is “The rat has begotten a ferocious appetite, just like the crocodile, and the crocodile has become filthy, just like the rat” (p. 32 and 33). This comparison between the rat and crocodile is both interesting and significant. Thut-Nefer applies it to humans and the political image reveals how the greedy have become corrupt and how the evil or the corrupt have become greedy; there is a mixing of evils.

The Scribe and the Lotus is not an average novel for it is very philosophical and contains many references to texts written in ancient Egypt. Bakr Fahmy relies on these texts and quotes several throughout his novel, giving it a heavy weight in the historical fiction genre.

It is not an easy or light read and I personally felt that there was extensive use of verbose language, which did not appeal to me, but in some instances, it fitted the text since the main character is a Scribe in the Holy City of Men-Nefer. The story is written in the third person but using the present tense, which was rather undigestable to me at first and which took me a very long time to get used to.

It is quite obvious that the author, Bakr Fahmy, has done extensive research to write and compile such a heavy-weighted novel. He must be lauded and applauded for that. The novel is set in ancient Egypt so the language has an archaeological and ancient nature to it. The use of references and quotes, gives credibility to the historical side of the story. The author has also made many good choices with his selection of ancient Egyptian texts and references.

There were some spelling inconsistencies in the novel such as the spelling of Sakkara and Saqqara; also, the reference to the doctor or physician as “Swnw” and later as “Swnswn”. This annoyed and confused me a fair bit.

Though the final chapter in The Scribe and the Lotus is the shortest chapter in the entire novel, it is also the perfect conclusion to such a piece as it links the present with the future. In many instances, the reader, and particularly an Egyptian or Arab reader, feels that what is to come is similar to the recent Egyptian Revolution that took place in January 2011.

Though it is not a light read, The Scribe and the Lotus is an interesting novel that mixes philosophy with modern day ailments and problems. It is a novel that distinguishes itself in the historical fiction genre.

Overall rating: 4/5 stars.

Check out Bakr Fahmy’s website here. 

Like his page on Facebook here. 

Follow Bakr Fahmy on Twitter here.

Buy his book here. 

Longing - A Short Story

Every morning the waves rose to greet the sun for a new day in the ancient city of Alexandria. And each day, the sun embraced the waves and its inhabitants as it rose to announce the coming of the new day.

Every morning Kreer rose with the waves and his eyes rested on the same place; the Qayet Bay Castle.

It was many years ago when he walked the halls of that majestic castle. He had even seen the establishment of the famous Alexandria lighthouse and with much sadness saw its destruction when the earthquake hit the ancient city.

Now the Qayet Bay Castle stood where the wondrous lighthouse had once stood. Every morning he rises to gaze upon the Castle. His heart beat for the memories he had there. For in that Castle was where he met the love of his life, Yasmine, a beautiful and breathtaking dark-skinned Egyptian woman.

Yasmine was a tour guide who came to the Castle often to show the world its beauty. Kreer would come to meet her after she finished work.

But that was many years ago. He lost count for he didn’t age as Yasmine and humans did.

He remembered the day she professed her love for him.

‘Kreer,’ she said, ‘there’s something I want to tell you.’

They were holding hands while taking a stroll inside the Castle after closing hours. He had taken her to the balcony overlooking the sea. The night air was fresh and slightly salty with a full moon shining proudly over the water.

‘Kreer,’ she began again, her face blushing as she looked down then up to meet his eyes, ‘I’m in love with you!’

His heart beat strong in his chest at the sound of those words. She touched his face and he closed his eyes and rested his head on her hand.

She had stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek then his neck.

He could feel her excitement.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and laid her head against his chest.

But it didn’t seem enough. She wanted more.

Kreer was old in life not in years. He did want to spend his life with her but he did not know much about humans let alone women, and Yasmine’s excitement scared him.

As a Merman, he had had crushes on other Mermaids before but Yasmine was the first human; and though mingling with humans was not well thought of, Kreer did it often for he could easily come and go between the two worlds as he pleased.

Yasmine was about 30 at the time. An age frowned upon by society even if opportunity had not presented itself and even though a man of the same age was considered young. Kreer did not quite get that part.

As he wrapped his arms around her, she tiptoed again to kiss him more. He felt her desire on her lips, enjoyed them immensely but was equally afraid for Yasmine did not know he was not human. They had been seeing each other for several months but Kreer had not told her much about himself. He told her that he was from a well to do family that was travelling most of the time and that he lived and worked in Alexandria. Yasmine had shared some of her secrets with him but he hadn’t shared his biggest secret with her. Part of him feared her reaction, another part feared she would let his secret out. He trusted her but because his knowledge of humans was not of expert level not even intermediate, he had his doubts; those same doubts that ruined many of his relationships with Mermaids.

She was acting childishly, or so he thought. 

The sea had bred him strong and slightly cold. Yasmine, on the other hand, was high with excitement and longing then. A kiss would have excited and calmed her at the same time. So it was with women. But Kreer did not know that. He wanted to calm her but did not know how. He also did not truly know much about human love and desire. Merpeople had desires but they were never as strong, stormy or sudden as human desires.

He just held her.

‘Kreer! Do you understand what I’m saying? I love you and I don’t want to spend another moment without you!’

She was excited still but fear and frustration had begun to creep in. Again, she kissed his neck, but he didn’t seem to feel or rather understand what that meant. She felt like she was kissing handsome rock.

Where had his feelings gone? She had felt them before. What was going on?

Yasmine had been heartbroken before. When she met Kreer, she was scared but he had calmed her and eased her previous pain. He did not talk much but he had this soothing and calming effect that lingered with her.

He could hear her heartbeats screaming when they first stood under the moon and she told him how she felt. Bit by bit, her heartbeats began to slow till they were at normal pace.

It was at that moment that Yasmine backed away from him, looking at him as a puppy looks at a fully grown wolf.

‘What is wrong with you?’ Her voice had changed. It was angry, scared and uncertain.

‘Yas-’, he began but she cut him short. ‘Don’t Yasmine me! What’s the matter with you? Here I am dying to be with you. I’ve been counting the hours till our meeting and here you stand as cold and as silent as stone.’

Her voice was rising and he saw anger in her eyes. He didn’t understand why, but guessed it was his lack of emotions compared to her.

‘If you’ve been playing with my feelings all this time –’, she began but overwhelmed she stopped.

‘No. No. I haven’t been playing with your feelings. I care about you,’ he told her. The word ‘love’ was not something he had heard before amongst Merpeople, and all he knew was what he felt through her. When she professed her love, he felt her tingling desirous emotions. She wanted him. And that was all he knew about love; all he had come to know about love, in his long life, a few minutes before.

‘Care?’ Her tone was venomous.

‘Care? No love? Nothing?’

‘You have to understand. I’m not like you.’ His words were poison.

He did not mean it. Now was not the time to tell her that he was a Merman but there was no other way to explain why he acted this way.

‘Let me show you,’ he said, taking her hand. She pulled away.

He heard her heart beat differently. He’d never heard a human heart beat like that before.

‘Yasmine, what’s wrong? Why is your heart beating like that?’

‘May be because you’re breaking it!’

Tears were forming in her eyes. She looked away, burying her face in her hands.

He came from behind and held her.

‘I’m not human. Please believe me.’ He whispered.

She whimpered.  

‘Will you just let me show you?’ He pleaded, ‘please?’

She was not convinced, but might as well see whatever it is he was saying. Her heart was broken anyway, what did it matter if he turned out to be another liar with a better excuse.

She nodded silently, but tears were already streaming down her cheeks.

She turned around slowly. He was already standing at the edge with the sea banging against the castle walls.

He took off his shirt and jumped into the dark water.

Yasmine screamed and went to the wall to look. Seconds seemed like eons but finally Kreer’s head and torso appeared unharmed.

‘Look!’ he called out, and dived again. As he did, Yasmine did not see legs and feet but a beautiful silvery-turquoise tail fin. Her sadness turned into awe and surprise.

She gaped.

‘Come down,’ he called out.

‘I’m scared. I’ll come from the shore,’ she answered.

She raced down the castle steps, doing her best not to fall and break her neck.

The shore was empty. It must have been quite late. Yasmine took off her sandals and put her feet in the water. Freezing was not the word to describe it but she didn’t know any words colder than ‘freezing’.

‘Kreer!’ She called out, but her voice was lost over the late night wind.

‘KREER!’ She said at the top of her voice as she took a few more steps in.

Now her whole body was shaking and she felt as though her legs were going numb from the cold.

Kreer appeared in the distance. The tide was getting stronger. He edged towards her but for some reason she wouldn’t come forward to meet him. 

Strong tides were harder to swim against but then again it was something he was used to and no longer considered dangerous.

She moved in more, trying to fight the growing tide. The water was a little over her waist now. ‘Kreer, I’m scared.’

‘I can’t come that far with my tail fin. You have to come to me. I’ll keep you safe.’

She wasn’t sure what to do. But he hadn’t intentionally broken heart; he was in fact different. As she debated and turned the thoughts over in her head, several massive waves came down on her like an avalanche, while the tide pulled her from underneath. She dived, came up to take a breath and was pulled down again.

It was only then that Kreer realised that the water was too strong for his beautiful flower. He inched as much as he could but the tide worked against him too. He had reached the utmost he could but Yasmine was nowhere to be seen. He called out at the top of his voice but to no avail. He dived and searched for her and still nothing.

As the sea began to calm, he saw something floating in the distance. A lump formed in his chest and he swam as fast as he could. It was Yasmine, or her lifeless body at least.

He screamed and cursed in all the languages and tongues he knew.

It was then that he knew what heartbreak felt like. That day he tasted fury and bitterness. That day he hated the sea. He had heard humans speak of the sea as treacherous but had never believed it – not until that day when the sea took his life away. That day, he understood. And he has never forgiven the sea since.

Erik

Erik was the most beautiful human-hybrid I had never met. He would have been the one to give me the last adventure I sought.

This who ‘idea’ began when Anya, Marie and Chris started thinking about the perfect companion – which was never a good idea, but oh well, I gave it a shot anyway.

Chris’ definition of adventure always involved women and sex – always. He never tired, whereas everyone else did from his thoughts and stories, real or unreal. Everyone, men and women, stopped asking, we just let him wander off into a daydream and probably went to sit on another table or in another room altogether.

Anya, however, was a beautiful woman, with one tiny flaw: whatever she touched turned into ice - sustainable flames being the only exception. So naturally, a slightly-altered version of the Human Torch would have been her ideal companion; one who seemed will never cross paths with her. Had Anya been into women, her Human Torch and soul mate would have been the same person: Marie.

It was common knowledge what my preferences were here at the Academy. I liked hybrids – human hybrids. I had a soft spot for werewolves, but they bored me. All this “We fear for you” and “Don’t approach us in our wolf form” irritated and bored me. I had one clandestine encounter with a white wolf – or werewolf – on the Wolf Grounds once; it was a BLAST! He – I think – was fun and adorable, a real hunter but a catch nonetheless. Suffice to say, I never saw him again. Bummer? Not really; I had gotten used to those.

“Your turn, Mia! Who or what is the most beautiful ‘creature’ you’ve never met?”

“Plenty, I suppose or rather hope.”

“Pleeeeeeeaaaassseee,” the two girls pleaded.

“Alright then,” I said and pretended to think – but I already had some idea about who my dream creature would be.

“Erik would be the most beautiful human-hybrid I have never met.”

“Erik? Who’s Erik?!” Chris had woken up. That meant there will be a ton of gossip before midday!

“Erik is this sexy guy with breath-taking blue eyes, who loves books and --”

“Sexy guy who loves books? Keep dreaming!”

“Shut up Chris!” Anya said, “or else!” threatening him with a bare finger.

He swallowed and remained silent.

Changing her tone, she said “I like this Erik guy already!”

“What does he turn into?” Marie, who couldn’t hold her question back much longer, and no thanks to Chris’ interruption, asked.

I smiled. “A dragon.”

“Seriously?!”

“Chris, what happened to your daydream? The world was enjoying itself in your sleep.”

He crossed his eyebrows at Anya, but stayed silent. Chris may be one of the smartest people in the world, but girls were not his area and Anya’s abilities were to be feared and unchallenged on all occasions.

“A dragon,” I started again, “Erik would take me flying and probably diving. We’d do all the things humans did but without worrying about my nebulous magical abilities.”

The girls smiled; and I could have sworn Chris did too.

It’s true I had come a long way since my magical powers unveiled themselves to me. But still, I always had to be in control, I could never be free. I controlled the elements, but Fire was my best and favourite. Were I to lose myself to it for a second, the Academy and all in it along with a few houses in the vicinity would be toast, for Fire had a mind of its own. It was also my strongest element.

“Aren’t you worried he’d be terrified of you?!”

It was Chris again. Apparently, he had got some idea of my flashback – something my eyes showed often.

“Well, I haven’t thought of that. But since I have never met him, I would never know.”

Written for Finish that Thought weekly contest posted every Tuesday by Alissa Leonard on her blog http://alissaleonard.blogspot.com

Opposites Attract

As electrons and protons attract, so did they. When fire falls in love with water, the balance is shattered and pain and suffering ensue. The sun and moon can never linger long enough to ease each other’s longing. A tiger and a deer cannot be friends even if the tiger sees more to the deer than just food and fulfillment. So couldn’t they; she a woman and he a wild white wolf.

This is for this week's Five-Sentence Flash Fiction prompt that can be found here. The prompt is "magnetic".

Memories

 

"Where Next" by Brewtnall Edward 

“We were young and in love with the world ahead of us. Seamen told tales of raging seas and sea monsters and gold and new worlds. It was like a fantastical dream. Michael and I wanted our own adventure, our own tale to tell. I remember him one fine summer’s day showing me a huge map with all the lands that we’ve heard people return from. It was magnificent really, so many places to see. He had his arm around me and we had hopes and fantasies like everyone.”

“Tell us more, grandma!” The children said.

 She sighed as the memories of a time long past flooded back.

“India was under British rule at the time and America was called the New World. People said it was rich with gold and beauty. We were young and in love.”

A tear trickled down her face.

“The world was full of promise, both real and fake”. She paused to wipe her face. “We wanted to live the dream, get married and have children. but unlike the reveries we spent nights talking about. We journeyed, through pain and hardship, to the New World. We were young and in love.”

“Keep going, grandma! Tell us more about grandpa!” The squealed excitedly.

Wiping her eyes again, she said “I’ll tell you more tomorrow. Now off to bed. Your mother won’t forgive me for keeping you up.”

They left unhappily but with make-up fantasies of their own, while the old lady sat in her rocking chair by the window and let the memories flow like the smooth water of the lake before her.

“I miss you my Michael!”

- Inspired by prompt #38 in the Friday Flash Fiction Contest.

Back from the Dead

I’m back! Was travelling and now I’m back with a lot on my “Blog Agenda” from a planned-and-postponed revamp to lots of posts.

I have been planning on making it a habit of making at least three posts per week and I’m currently hoping I’ll be able to fulfill that. I haven’t decided if they should be any random three days or fixed ones. Preferences?

Friday will definitely be one of those days, since it’s the first day of the weekend here and I try to take part in at least one of the Friday Flash Fiction contests. There will be also the #VisDare and the 55 Word-Challenge (the latter being on Wednesday) – so still not sure if I should fix my days. Considering having any Sunday post since many have Sunday off.

I am also thinking of trying to do a few things for Halloween in October. There will definitely be a book review of "30 Scary Tales" and I'm sure there will be a few Halloween-related prompts.

Suggestions are most welcome.

More to come soon J

Dancing Fairy - 5SF

I couldn’t see the sky, all I could see was her, the way she moved, walked, danced; a fairy on a bed of green grass.

Her bare feet on the ground, the leaves and trees swaying her way, endowing her with a crown of their making.

It was night – I think, but I saw no moon, only her face.

The air bore sweet music and the earth reverberated underneath her dancing feet.

Several times, she looked my way with a smile on her face; and each time my heart skipped several beats. 

This week's prompt is Beauty. I had something that fit the prompt so I made minor amendments and posted it. This is for the Five-Sentence Flash Fiction Contest

The Perfect Moment - VisDare #36

Bow in hand,

Arrow set,

Athena’s eyes fixed

Upon her prey.

He had stood

Before the bronze statue

Marveling at her grace,

Comparing her to his wife,

Insulting the latter.

Tearful eyes

Gazed

At the Goddess of War and Wisdom,

“What would you have me do?”

She whispered as he walked away.

The woman turned

And walked the other way.

Bow in hand,

Arrow set,

Athena’s eyes fixed

On a human with no heart.

She stood,

Waiting for the right distance,

For that perfect moment

To release her arrow

Upon her prey.

- 92 Words

Life Under Examination - Poetry Collection Review

Life Under Examination by Aria Glazki is a unique poetry collection where the reader can relate to almost every poem. Written in rhymed verse and decent bit of alliteration here and there, this collection encompasses a total of 26 poems on many topics as diverse as fairies and tragedies.

The collection opens with “Seminar”, a beautifully penned piece. I honestly did not know what to expect when I read that title. But I must say it lived far beyond my expectations. There are certainly many stanzas to which people in general and students in particular can relate to, like that moment when you're asked to answer a question or give an opinion and your face begins to flare red and you feel like you're about to explode. A simply spectacular poem about a topic almost everyone everywhere experiences but has never written about.

The second piece “Otherworldy Remedy” is one that hits a soft spot for me as a poet, reader and lover of all that is magical, mythological and fantastical!

"For what are our lives if they're not filled with magic?

They're pointless, and dull, and so very tragic."

Lines that ring true. I'll be hanging this poem somewhere in my room, or better on my desk to keep me alive every time I feel down.
Hats off for this purely perfect piece!

“Out of Sight” is a neat and thought-provoking poem that makes other poets and writers consider and contemplate the poor fairies' and muses' dilemma. It brought a sad smile to my face, for the simple fact that we don't really think of them and often associate these creatures with clichés, like playing pranks as Glazki mentions here.

Following that is “Eureka”, which, like many poems in Life Under Examination, is an interesting and thought-provoking piece. I'm sure every reader, no matter how old or young, can relate to this one and to the feeling we get when we try to cling to that fleeting thought; even when we come to write it down, parts of it just seem to vanish. I like how the opening two lines are repeated in the final stanza; it gives a sort of coming-together feel.                 

 “Cinematography” is a modern take on the Cinderella story without the fairy god-mother or the magic; though the evil step-mother is there in a new character. The title is a bit odd though, or not-so-poetic for me. Although it does give the reader something to think about the next time they watch or read any Cinderella story or adaptation.

*Hats off and thumbs up* is all I can say for Glazki’s “Commercialised Love”; that, and I love the title. A perfect fit for the notorious V-Day!

Life Under Examination also hits on the satirical and the ridiculous as seen in “Newsworthy”, which is a satirical piece for those, often ugly, poodles and their extravagant owners.

“Hope Dies Last” is a powerful poem for every tragedy in every time and era. As a reader “Hope Dies Last” makes me think and believe that hope does not die at all. It is a sad and powerful dedication. I had written parts of the commentary before reading the final note on the poem. It was then that I realised that the poem is about attacks that took place in Moscow in 2002; but throughout, the poem reminded me of a more recent tragedy, the Aurora Shooting that took place in 2012, where a gunman opened fire inside a movie theatre killing 12 innocent people and injuring more than 50 others.
I hope “Hope” never dies.

Glazki moves on to something lighter; a piece that I'm sure will remind all who read it of a special someone in their lives. “Only You” made me smile and that's all I can say.

“In Passing” is an interesting piece about war and loss. I found it a bit vague, but nonetheless intriguing.

The poem “Mother” is one of the best, strongest and most heartfelt pieces in this entire collection! It is a poem about the traits of a mother, every mother of every species, for that matter. This stanza, in particular, reminded me of cats, especially how feline mothers are incomparably vicious when it comes to their young: “With an innate fierceness/She'll protect them to her death/Cursing the world that hurt them/With every living breath”.

I, also, loved the lines “She creates a foundation/Then builds supporting beams”.
The entire poem just makes your heart beat differently. It is a perfect dedication to all mothers out there and to the efforts they undertake to keep their children safe. A thank you is due to every mother and accordingly to Ms. Glazki for penning this one.

Then, we come to Glazki’s poem “Blood”, which is by all means a psychotic piece!
I loved it. And that's all I’m going to say about it. I will leave it for the rest of the world to read and see for themselves.

*thumbs up Ms. Glazki*

“Last Night” is a short, interesting piece. I particularly like how it begins with “and” as though beginning in the middle of the story. The first four lines are a poem of their own; strong, deep and emotional. Perfect.

Then Ms. Glazki takes us on to the short, deep and both heartfelt and heartbreaking poem “Resolution”.

Glazki concludes her collection on a hopeful note and some seriously powerful imagery with her poem “Whole”.

I have not commented on all the pieces in the collection, for they are after all 26 pieces, but I have commented and written down notes on those that struck a chord with me (which is most of the collection).

Although the title Life Under Examination gives the this impression of a much philosophical work, it is a simple heartfelt collection of poems written, probably, at different stages of Ms. Glazki’s life. Life Under Examination deserves more than a 5-star rating for it is a collection that can, and will, touch each and every one. 

For more writing by Aria Glazki, check out her blog here.

Find her Facebook page here and find her on Twitter here.

Updates: Read my two-part interview with Aria here and here.
Also, check out her guest post on how to keep writing interesting and her writing tips for new and established authors. 

Under the Moonlight

Footsteps resounded in the empty street. A couple of girls were passing by; they wouldn’t notice me. Few ever do.

The moonlight created strange shadows every night. It knew I was lonely and so it kept me busy till the sun came up and the world shone with hope.

I could hear their banging footsteps long before they came into sight. May be their stampeding steps weren’t so loud, but it sure felt and sounded like it. After all, the street was empty of everything and everyone else. It was past midnight and I think I heard them laughing. They must have been talking about some guy; it’s all people talk about these days.

I raised my head to meet the moon as it bathed me in its moonlight. We meet up every night. I think we like each other; a lonely sky-bound moon and lonely earth-bound flower.

This entry is for the VisDare #35 by Anonymous Legacy.

Story should be 150 words or less.

My story is 148 words.

Thunder - Five-Sentence Flash Fiction

This piece is for the Five Sentence Flash FictionContest. The prompt is “Thunder”.

thunder_clouds_by_alekparkour-d2yrlmn

Daylight darkened gradually but quickly as black clouds loomed overhead. Dew stood still embracing the scent of freshly-cut grass. A soft breeze ruffled her hair; she won’t have to wait long now. A thundering explosion resounded in the distance growing louder as an approaching beast. The lightning struck introducing the rain and announcing the beginning of her elemental dance.