The traveler and I had journeyed these many years East toward Susa, the great city of Elam. At the great crossroads there was another, turning west. “Why do you go toward Susa?” He asked with sadness on his face, “It is our home” I responded. He paused and slowly stated “Susa is no more, laid waste by Assyria” and he carried on. We continued east, with a slow step, at the twilight of the day, the road split and the traveler went on his way without a word. Night fell and in the darkness I felt the pain of his absence, but walked on, with broken heart. The road became rough and I kept my head down to maintain my footing, the path curving, no end could be seen. In dispare I sat by the side of the road and looked from whence I came seeing my steps placed carefully along the path. “I must continue on, the traveler may never see the city but I must,” and so I did, following the curve east. Through the night and the day I continued, the road becoming smooth and then rough again, for many years, at times lying by the roadside at the edge of reason. Suddenly I came upon the gate of Susa at the base of a large hill, the city in rubble, long abandoned. I fell to my knees and grabbed the sand and sifted it through my fingers, the supple soil of my home, now wisps of nothing in the wind. My soul screamed for I was truly alone as I passed under the remaining arch. There I laid, waiting for death, when sleep came upon me. I awoke, my senses dull, blurred eyes seeing a flame, I became more alert. Turning my head there I saw the traveler warming himself by a fire. “I have been waiting many years here in the great city for you to come” he said a smile growing on his face. “Traveler there is nothing left of our city and people, I have walked in vain many years along a hard path to find sand and rubble” my voice dropping to whisper. “Come now open your eyes and see, the city was lost to those who stopped looking” he said in a happy yell. I lifted my head and turned looking down and saw the opening plaza filled with people, the great towers of the city silhouette in the just rising sun. “Come my friend enter here to and be greeted by family.” I wept with joy as we entered the plaza, looking back at my path I could see the road stretch into eternity, filled with travelers on their way. I had traveled the road to Elam, the great city of Susa, destroyed by Assyria, and came to know those who seek after the desires of their heart by the hard path will find it, no matter the odds.

By A.B. Griffin