"Am I dead"?
"Are you speaking of your mind, body or some abstract literary perspective"?
"I don't recognize your voice, who are you? You are not the flying man"!
"Well I AM hurt! Are you SURE you don't recognize my voice"?
"Most definitely not. Your voice is deep and terrible, with the power of a mountain. I fear you could bring this entire place crashing down upon us".
"Well! Wellllllll! Well now!! Yes, I suppose I could do that, now couldn't I? I could let out a growl that could shake the universe! I could grumble a grumbly-brumbly bellow that could shake the stars from the sky. But why, oh why do you think I would do such a thing? I rather like it here in this small room inside a mountain".
"I'm sorry, my mother told me I shouldn't assume things. Perhaps you could tell me why you are here and why I am here and who you are and what you want with me and where did the flying man go"?
"Slow down! One question at a time! Do you have any idea how long it will take me to search the card catalog for the answers to all of those questions? One moment, now where was I? Oh yes, you asked me a question! The best way to answer a question is with a question, at least that is my policy, so let me ask you...who do you think I am"?
"If I were to make a guess, I would say you are the Chimera"!
"The Chimera? Oh, no girl, there are many Chimeras. I am not THE Chimera, I am only a small figment, not really so grand compared to THE Chimera. In fact, I really don't like the word Chimera. It is too...too...too Greek! I prefer Lamassu! Now there is a name!!! Lamassu suggests character, sophistication, style and a touch of erudite finesse. Chimera! Pah, can you even pronounce it? Those Greeks were always so struck with hard consonants and rough breathing...What was the question"?
"You asked me a question, and then questioned my answer"!
"So I did! I apologize. A Chimera can not help but be a little queer. And a Lamassu is certainly an oddity among Chimerae when querying. Since I was unfair and asked a question of your question I will give you an answer this time without question. I like it here and I have nowhere else to go at the moment"
"What"?
"I said I like it here. Was I speaking too softly?"
"Please don't shout! Why do you like it here? Wouldn't you rather be somewhere else"?
"Well, I don't know. I suppose, I mean, well, where else would I go? I've never been anywhere else but here".
"You could fly, or walk to the moon or swim in the ocean"!
"Hmmmm, well now that you mention it, I could do those things! Which to do first? Should I walk to the moon and swim in the ocean, or fly to the moon and then go swimming and perhaps skip the walk altogether"?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
"What is that sound you make? Are you trying to scare me"?
"I'm laughing silly Lamassu! You are very funny!!"
"Well, hmm, hum, mum, dum, now that you say so I AM funny. In fact I am the life of the party and I owe it all to you. Thank you for gifting me with such a fine boon. Most of us are rather droll, drooly and drab and some of us are droopy and drippy...oh but not ME! I am funny and I can walk on the moon and fly and swim in the ocean and my voice could shatter a mountain. You awe me girl. I am most lucky indeed! May I offer you a cookie? I made them myself"!
"Yes please! I love cookies!"
The Lamassu reached up with the most delicate of reaches and grasped a glass vessel shaped like a tulip. Inside the jar I could see the baked delights, the sight of which temped me beyond anything I have ever encountered before. She lifted the lid from the jar, for the Lamassu, was female, though I am not sure how I knew this, and the scent of lilac filled the air, making me feel light and giddy.
"I baked these today using only the finest ingredients, I hope you find they are satisfying".
I took just a nibble, and instantly felt more alive than at any time I can remember. My thoughts were sharp and my limbs felt as powerful as mature trees.
"What is in these cookies? I have never had anything like them"!
"Essence of thought,
a dram of goodwill,
a tear drop from a poet,
some gossamer fill.
A touch of inspiration,
a bundle of sun,
four grains of sugar,
four grains of fun.
I mixed it with passion,
I folded with dreams,
I placed in the oven
until they were steamed".
"You are MY Lamassu aren't you?! I thought you were the flying man's Chimera, but he brought me here to find you. Is it my imagination or are you getting bigger"?
"Oh, I am fairly certain it is your imagination. You are the one on the flight of fancy which brought you crashing through a mountain to talk with me and indulge in my cookies. I am rather dull actually. I try to think of great things, to be inspirational, to get people to listen to my stories, but I find that no matter how hard I try the only thing I manage is to hear the echo of my own voice bouncing off of the inside of this room. Please understand, I love this place. It is all I know, but when it comes to big thoughts I am a prisoner in my mind".
"Nonsense! You are a wonderful Lamassu, and an incredible baker. I will take you to my neighborhood and you will become an instant celebrity! All we need to do is figure out how to get out of here. I really rather you didn't bring down the mountain with your amazing voice"!
"Why don't you just use the door you entered when you arrived"?
"Door? What door"?
"Every dwelling has a door, and this has been my dwelling for as long as I can remember. You probably just overlooked it. I have sort of outgrown it recently".
So, my Lamassu has grown! I knew it! She is pointing to a very small portal near the point where I first became aware of this place, but it is far too small for me to have entered from. I shuffle over for a closer look. The door has an intricate stained glass window, a doorknob made of ruby, and wood of the finest quality, polished to look like alabaster, however only the thinnest mouse could possible squeeze through.
"I can't go through that"!
"Why not? I cleaned it today. It's not filthy"!
"Why not? I am too big. Isn't that obvious"?
"That didn't seem to stop you when you came in"!
Thinking this is some sort of trick, I grab my Lamassu's enormous finger with my hand and with the other reach for the doorknob. I turn the knob and before I could think of something clever to say, I discover we are both outside the great mountain staring up at the sky which has turned a deep purple mixed with orange and red. I am disappointed that the flying man is not here waiting for me. Uncertain what to do, I begin to sing.
I didn't know how much I missed
I was afraid to dream of you
I didn't know how much I lost
I did what I was told to do
oh Lamassu, oh Lamassu
How could I know there was so much more
How could I know you were out here
I lived a life that was so full of dread
I lived a life that was so dull and led
But now I fly and I am free to dream
I can do what I want to
I never want this dream to end
Oh Lamassu, oh Lamassu.
"What now my Lamassu"?
"We could walk to the moon".
"That might be fun, but what about the flying man"?
"Perhaps he is there waiting".
"Lead on Lamassu".
"Tis a journey we must make as one".
"How do we do that"?
"Think of me and I will think of you".
"Okay, here we go, here I go, we go as one".
(sung as a duet)
I walk to the moon without a balloon
I walk to the golden faire
The breeze in the trees is made of green cheese
And they have a fine time there
Once to the moon,
Once to the faire
Once to see the old man
When I return, if I return
I'll never look stern
Or the old man will follow me home
I'll sing of the breeze
I'll sing of the trees
I'll sing of the golden faire
The town folk will say
My mind's gone astray
But the old man knows the truth
The old man knows the truth
Once to the moon
You sing like a loon
You sing of the golden faire
--Walking to the Moon--