The Story of Michael of the Sunflowers …

Michael was a young, Mayan Sun-God who loved life. He was happy and loved his friends. Often, he attended and held great feasts for his beloved friends, with music, dancing, food and lots of antics like fire performers and jugglers.

 

One day, during just such a feast, Michael was overcome with drink and ergot. So were his friends which included his sister the FireGoddess and his brother, Bacchus. Because of all of the heat and passion of the music and dancing and crowds Michael felt hot and uncomfortable and he sought the cool of the river that ran alongside the Palace. His brother and sister knew he was confused and cried for him to stay close-by, not to go to the river alone. They were concerned that he would not be safe in the state he was in. Michael, being a bit of a trickster and the master of his own life, and, in the altered state he was in, decided, as usual, to forge his own way, apart from his beloved family.

 

He wandered into the night, away from the confusing crowds, the over-loud music and the smell of the festival.

 

Ahhh, the cool, darkness surrounded him and hugged his body…he ventured onward. FireGoddess and Baccus, seeing his form recede into the night, anguished. They reached out and cried for him. “Michael, Michael…come back to us. We can not follow you into the night and we are afraid for you.” They loved him so much. They stayed back, wrung their hands and hugged each other in fear.

 

Michael forged onward. He was confused and felt hot…oh, so hot. If only he could find some peace and relief. His brilliant countenance faded into the balmy eve as he mounted the bridge. The bridge took him west and away from his loved ones and the festivities of the Goddess and the safety of the Palace. He ran, pulling at his hot, uncomfortable vestments.

 

…to be continued