Atlantis — The Mirror of the Sun
No land was more magnificent. Babylon and Egypt marvelled at the wealth of the Atlanteans.
In the cities of Atlantis, built of green jade and black basalt,
palaces and temples glowed like embers.
Rulers, priests and noblemen in gold-woven garments
shimmered with precious jewels.
Bright fabrics, bracelets and rings, earrings and necklaces adorned their wives,
but more radiant than gemstones were their open faces.
The Oracle’s Prophecy
Foreigners sailed to Atlantis.
All gladly praised its wisdom.
They bowed before the ruler of the land.
But one day the sacred ship brought a great word:
— The waves shall rise like mountains.
The sea shall cover the land of Atlantis.
For rejected love the sea shall take revenge.
From that day on, love was never rejected in Atlantis.
They welcomed all who arrived with kindness.
The Atlanteans smiled joyfully at one another.
And the smile of their ruler was reflected in the jewelled walls of the palace.
The Luminous Heir
But the boy, the ruler’s son, astonished everyone.
It seemed that the sun and the gods of the sea had sent him to save the land.
He was kind, welcoming and caring toward all.
The great and the humble alike were his brothers.
He remembered the best deed of every person.
He could not bear to see anger or cruelty.
Before him, all evil hid itself.
And even those who had recently done wrong wished to become good forever, just like him.
When the king, his father, died,
the youth, veiled in quiet sorrow, came out to the people.
And everyone forgot about death
and sang a hymn of praise to their longed-for ruler.
And Atlantis flourished brighter than ever.
The Egyptians called it the land of love.
Reign and Devotion
For many years the luminous ruler reigned.
And the rays of his happiness shone upon the people.
Instead of the temple, the people went to their ruler:
— He loves us. Without him we are nothing.
He is our sun, our warmth,
our eyes, our smile.
Glory to you, our beloved!
But the last day came.
The ruler lay powerless, and his eyes closed.
As one, the Atlanteans rose,
flooded the palace steps like a vast sea,
clung to his deathbed and cried in tears:
— Lord, look at us!
Give us but one glance!
We have come to save you.
Let our desire give you strength!
He asked them to leave him alone.
But the Atlanteans did not go.
They stood together, frozen, mute and deaf.
The Last Word
Then the ruler spoke:
— You have not gone? You do not want to go?
Now I know.
Then I shall say… one word.
I hate you.
I reject your love.
You have taken everything from me.
You have won…
The ruler fell upon his bed.
And the sea rose like a high wall
and covered the land of Atlantis.