Doorkeeper

Maurice, a servant like Jude, is waiting for you behind the Notre Dame monastery’s high wall perimeter. The turquoise door matches the Mediterranean Sea’s hue as it lapses against the giant concrete cubes overgrown green algae beards.  He is the doorman for the collection of villas run by the Sisters. His voice like his stature is stocky and strong. When he greets you the proper response is “ana kuwayis”. It’s easy to remember the location. Just veer left off Al Akbal Street because its before you reach McDonalds. In front McDelivery motorcycles and scooters line up with hotboxes ready to deliver chain meals.

The Loran district of Alexandria, Egypt lives in affluence. Alex for short. Toss out the sea nets into the deep to retrieve the bounty of the Bride. Sagging fishing net meshes drain the sea water excess. First time on the right side. The cost is covered to purchase the pearl. The kingdom of heaven’s draft is the greatest haul. It’s net worth keeps us set for the life and the afterlife. The synapses keep firing; it’s not dull. Sea creatures are not the only things with jagged teeth sleeplessly swimming along the ancient coastline. Black and yellow Ladas charge as fast as their digital horses gallop on their meters. Flashing brights. Locals are picked-up and dropped off alongside the boundaries of chunky black and white curbs throughout the city. Ladas are single, double and triple parked on the side of the street stream intermingled with micro-bus. Each driver speaks to the others with their ample horn beeps. It’s a language of warning and awareness. It all passes by. Whiffs of massive vehicle exhaust snuff out the sea salt air masses lead to exhaustion.

Retreat into the villa over the threshold after greeting the honorable doorman who sits by the street lights glowing like the Golden Arches. Maurice has been serving at the Notre Dame Monastery for fifteen years. He exudes a quiet confidence among figured shadows who infiltrate our ranks. His tender rule awaits the return of our one and only Master. Out of Egypt, I’ve found mercy, peace and love in abundance. Quit being rude. One hundred Egyptian pounds per night amounts to around five to six US dollars. Feral cats loom around. They appear to attack one another in an alley cat choir for food scraps. The courtyard of the compound brought to mind the doorkeeper’s decision to stand and serve in the house of God. Being in courts of God Almighty is better than anywhere else. Guard and cherish the faith. There’s no worthy replacement for sheer grace. The courts of God Almighty were found in North Africa, Lower Egypt. Anywhere else where his people gather together: he is with them.