The Oracle

He stood in silence looking out to sea, eyes transfixed to the horizon, “I can’t… I can’t recall." She took his hand affectionately in hers, “you must try… try to remember.” Hesitant he replied, “I just know… I’ve lived before.” “Before… what do you mean, before?" "I’ve lived… a long time!” “How long?” she asked. “How long?” she repeated anxiously. “You don’t remember do you? You were there!” “Where?” “In dreams… they were like dreams.” “What dreams?” “Oh, I don’t know... faces? Yes, dreams of faces.” “What… people you know?” “People? They weren’t people! They were dark hooded, and spoke in tongues.” "What did they want?” “Us… they think we know." “Know what?” “What we came back to remember.” “And what’s that?” He glanced down at the exasperated face looking back up at him, and broke into a half smile, “now, you’ll think I’m really crazy.” “Go on, try me.” “I saw arms outstretched, hands cupped, offering me something, but when I looked…” “Yes?” “I saw... myself!”