The Island of Telinos

Lost shore-side smoking insanity; days curled as the Tobacco leaves in his cigar. A glance of tomorrow reveals itself over the horizon, momentary; first flickering as a faulty bulb, but soon leading his eyes toward the trees.

Beach bleeds into jungle; arched leaves guard obscure openings. His hands push aside the plants; his sight adjusts, at once revealing the enigmatic physiognomy of a woman.

As if moved by her beauty, he inquired, “Are the leaves so tender as you would have me believe — a heart-shaped handle for the rain?

…My dear, I speak to you. What hides behind the mystique moored to those fingers, within the intricacies of an olive complexion? How does it feel — brushing past these leaves so effortlessly?”

The woman spoke with a softness, “My skin senses familiarity; after all, I am an illustration of this island.” Then her voice quickened, “Who are you? Where did you come from? Visitors are a rarity here.”

“So, she does speak! I am Endel. I was perusing some documents in my study, after which I fell asleep and woke up here. May I enquire, what is this island?”

“It is called Telinos, where spiritless souls roam in the days after their death.”

Her words summoned a wind that coursed through the Jungle, carrying with it the sharpness of regret.

Endel shivered, “This wind is brisk with sadness. It folds my skin to frailty, my eyes to madness.”

“It is the spirit of their sorrow. The souls on Telinos lived life with a lack of drive, now they circle this landscape regretting their sloth. Here, drink this. It is water from the oceans of Oliyos; it will lower your ability to feel the wind’s emotion. Ambrosia is sweet, but it is useless without inhabitants…I am alone here, my heart quivers with faithlessness.”

Endel reached out his hands and quickly took the oval bottle she was offering him. He had three good swigs before passing it back to her.

“Thank you. So, who are you? How did you come to be here?”

“My name is Odia. He sent me here through the rays of the sun; he longed for me to watch over this place; he showed little care for my sanity.”

“Who?”

“Mesomismetic. The one you call God.”

“Men no longer embellish their eyes with the reality of such a being, but I am somewhat of an exception. Tell me, did you come here from Earth?”

“Yes. The fates possessed me, spoke to me, told me I was richly imbued with soul. They bestowed on me desires of immortality. I sculpted my actions to suit their words, and eventually, I was sent to him; I understood my task only long after I arrived on Telinos.”

“So, you are nested in this island, a shepherd for lost souls; certain in your task, yet mourning your true desires for life?”

“Endel, your words resonate beyond description, as if I were lifted, comforted by your knowledge of my heart. The fates cannot understand as you do, they dismiss sentimentality.”

“I have read many religious texts. Indeed, the fates despise sentimentality more than God — for they speak with the voice of presence, completely joyous with the current moment.”

“Then you will know the horror of their tormenting.”

“I do. But I would not venture to guess how violently they pulled on the strings of your heart. Your presence here is confirmation enough.”

“I thought I understood their light, their desires for me, even the beauty of spiritual transcendence. But Telinos became my perfection and my curse.”

“How many years have you been on Telinos?”

“Years have become difficult for me to read; they move like wind through the pages of a book. I can’t imagine my age, but I know it is measured in centuries. Endel, you have shown me that your knowledge is rich, perhaps you were sent here to light my way toward peace?”

“Well, I’m flattered my dear, but I regret to say you feel richer than I in faith.”

“But I am not greater than you in knowledge; I sense it. This island is sadness, a purgatory; I am the facilitator of God’s stool. Will you help resurrect my true desires for life?”

“I would love nothing more than to help you. But offering you my knowledge will do no good. One’s knowledge is a fairytale, devoid of clarity. Besides, it cannot help you; God sits above these parts, and he wishes for you to nurture them. So nurture them, and at once find freedom in your duty to the eternal.”