Ephemera (Buck)/Lethe

by Mitchell Starrett Buck

LETHE

Through the yellow twilight of the underworld, two shadows glided over the asphodel in bloom. At the verge of a leaden stream, they paused.

—Here thou drinkest, said One, and all remembrance will be washed from thee. It is the Law. There is no other way, no other path from life to life.

—I cannot! Oh, I cannot drink! . . . Why must I lose that which is greater than all other things? My heart is filled with memories . . .

—Be brave. In a moment thou wilt not even know thou hast forgotten.

Along the shore, the lotos blooms floated like pale flames; and softly the dark water glided onward, hiding the secrets in its breast.