Canto VII:  Next
Like Weston on Malacandra
I have no clue
what will happen next
But I want it to happen
very much

Vilinye skips
down the aisles
“Arkn, Arkn!”

A man steps into view
He wears a long robe
embroidered with roses

“Roni’ith!”
she squeals
“You’re dressed
like one of the Roni’im!”

Like her story?
I can see that now
But the man’s face
is so familiar
“Arnold Knutson?”

He winks
“One of my names.”

“Wait just a minute
You can’t be human!
There’s no way you’re human!”

“Magic and suitably advanced technology…
Arthur Clarke was right
As for what I am—
Vilinye, what did I tell you?”

“Mysterious men
never explain their origins”
Bailey grins
“Now, what would you like
to do next?”

“You mean
there’s more?”

“This isn’t just
a normal space-bending
library
It’s the memory room
It is made of
memories, dreams and imagination.
It can be
anywhere
To quote a certain Doctor,
‘All of time and space;
 everywhere and anywhere;
every star
that ever was.
Where do you
want to start?’”

She grins in a way
I’d never seen before
but understand perfectly
It says
‘I just quoted
something obscure
I am so geeky!’

“Do I have to close
my eyes or snap my fingers?”

“If you want”

As I watch,
the library shelves
fade to wisps
blown away
on a tropical breeze
A waterfall tumbles
into a turquoise bay
and a bag lies by my feet

I reach inside
and pull out two
shining cloaks
“Fly,”
I whisper
and wings spring out

“Your Bag and
my CloakWings!”
Vilinye grabs one
and leaps into the sky
I laugh and follow her

We loop and roll
like crazy birds
crashing into the ocean
and splashing to the surface
A dream come true

At one point, I pause
to check the time
“I need to get to work
What’s wrong with my watch?”

“We’re on Narnia time”
Bailey smiles
“But maybe you need
some time to absorb it all
Arkn,”
she calls
“I think we’re ready
to come back”

The room reverts
to a majestic library
my clothes
aren’t even wet.

She smiles at me
“Next time you open
a door
I’ll be here
to explain”
She hugs me tightly
(side note:
It’s awkward being hugged
by someone so much taller)
and runs out

I walk after her
but find myself
back in the library basement