Heteropsycography

Summary

The text is a poetic reflection on the collective identity and historical journey of a legion, intertwining personal and historical narratives.

Abstract

"Heteropsycography" is a narrative that weaves together the personal and the historical, presenting a collective identity that has witnessed the passage of time and the transformation of landscapes. It speaks of a legion that has lived through countless experiences, from the days of ancient Rome to the modern era, fighting alongside figures like Viriatus and Afonso, and playing a role in the discovery of new worlds. The legion's journey is marked by battles, the rise and fall of empires, and the enduring spirit of resilience. The text is a mosaic of memories and moments that culminate in the rebirth of the legion, suggesting that even in death, their story will live on through the heteropsycography of their existence.

Opinions

The author expresses a sense of timelessness and continuity, implying that the legion's experiences are part of a larger human tapestry.
There is a reverence for history and the role of the legion in shaping significant events, from the founding of Portucale to the battles against Napoleon's armies.
The legion is portrayed not just as witnesses but active participants in history, often fighting against great odds and emerging as heroes.
The text suggests a cyclical nature of war and conflict, acknowledging the futility and loss that come with it, yet also celebrating the bravery and legacy of those who fight.
The author hints at a deep connection with the past, quoting Liam Callanan to emphasize that the legion carries the essence of all who came before them.
The mention of Fernando Pessoa implies a philosophical acceptance of life's beginning and end, with the legion's story filling the space in between.
The author values the support of readers, expressing gratitude for those who have appreciated the narrative through their engagement.

My name is Legion for we are many

Photo by Rui Alves | Shattered glass effect by Ephoto

We start to write these words Before Summer ends We will break them free like tears in the falling rain We hear our surrogates inside cringing and wailing We let words storm our gates and the legion ascends

They flock like swallows to a memento of winter snow A silent whisper of wings still vibrating like a rainbow Calling a forlorn name known to them and them alone From when we stood on the muddy banks of the Yarmouk

Back then we were many in the land of the Gadarenes Once a large band of brothers now alone among a few We have sailed to the western shores of old Lusitania Over waters that are now the sky to the city of Atlantis

We were by Ulysses’s side when he set foot in Olissipo We fought alongside Viriatus against the Roman gods We prayed to no God but the God of a thousand faces The forsaken legion became a renowned legion-slayer

We stood with our First King when he founded Portucale shoulder to shoulder with Afonso the mightiest of us We stood our ground upon the Atoleiros hills battlefield Leading the bravest ragged few down the muddy slopes

Then we saw the King's colors flying over Aljubarrota Legend says God himself fought at our side on that day Yet we saw no God laying waste to the enemy’s cavalry Everyone a legion and on their faces Viriatu’s fiery eyes

Centuries passed and back to the sea we went with Dias And Gama and Cabral to Africa to India and the Americas Sailed across the world with Magalhães never falling off We gave foreign lands and new worlds to the known world

Saw the last days and downfall of the Portuguese Empire As we fought away Bonaparte’s Great Army and Generals Junot and Soult and Massena and one-hand Henry Loison All these great men powerless against the Alma Lusitana

Later by a twist of fate our legions rushed to rescue France From the claws of their invaders and again we were heroes We stood with Milhões firing his machine gun in La Lys Holding his ground against a division to cover our retreat

We know how only the dead will one day see the end of war And during the twentieth century we fought too many lost battles In Angola and Mozambique and even in the Far-East Until the revolution came with red carnations in April 1974

Four years later in August we were reborn and if after we die — As Fernando Pessoa wrote — someone writes our biography There’s nothing easier We’ve got two dates one for our birth The other for our death — In between one thing and the other

All days are ours!

“We’re all ghosts. We all carry, inside us, people who came before us.” ― Liam Callanan, The Cloud Atlas

A.N. My heteropsycography hasn’t been boosted; hence, if you are one of the fifty fans who have supported this opus with your claps by October 16, 2023, know that your support was deeply appreciated.