River of Forgiveness

[ Universal Panacea, in the river. Lia at her side. Sound of water in intro and outro. Celtic-Andalusian fusion ballad. ] Universal Panacea I held my judgment like a stone, heavy in a heavy hand. It told me I was strong. It told me I was right. It told me I was finally safe. It lied. But the river does not ask the rocks to move, she simply "ows around. And in her "owing, what was rock becomes the singing ground. [ Chorus — "utes blossom, harp fuller. Universal Panacea sings to Lia, but really to every audience member. ] Forgiveness is a river — not a moment, but a tide. She doesn't say what happened didn't, she says: come, walk on the other side. Forgiveness is a river — 48 Luis Miguel Gallardo she remembers everything. And still she sings. [ Verse 3 — addressed directly to the audience now. ] You who think you've earned your hardness, you who hold the closing fist — lay it down beside the water. You don't have to be the list. [ Lia steps forward. The orchestra drops to almost nothing — just a single harp note sustaining. ] Lia asks LIA, ALMOST SPOKEN OVER THE HARP But what if I don't want to forgive? Universal Panacea, Sung Small, Harp Only Forgiveness is not for them. Forgiveness is the only door I cannot open while still locked inside. [ Beat. The orchestra returns slowly. Universal Panacea reveals the work she does. ] Universal Panacea I am the panacea — not because I cure, but because I undo what wasn't pure. Intolerance, soften. Understanding, rise. Forgiveness — open the eyes. [ Chorus reprise — strings warm in. ] Forgiveness is a river — not a moment, but a tide. She doesn't say what happened didn't, she says: come, walk on the other side. [ Bridge — a cappella, in Spanish, intimate as breath. (Optional expansion: add Arabic / Hebrew / Yoruba lines as separate language groups respond to a multilingual call.) ] Universal Panacea, In Spanish El río perdona la piedra sin pedirle que cambie de forma. Solo fluye. Solo fluye. Y en su fluir — todos somos uno. [ Outro — water sounds return. Voice and harp only. ] And in her flowing, we are clean. And in her flowing, we are seen. And in her flowing... we begin. L ia looks at the stone in her hand. Then she looks at the river. She walks barefoot into the silk-fabric. She takes a deep breath. LIA. I'm not ready to forgive them yet. But I am ready to put the stone down for tonight. • • • She kneels in the silk-river and lays the stone on its surface. The fabric rises around her. Universal Panacea lifts her up, and Lia is suddenly small in the elder's arms. PANACEA. That is enough. That is more than enough. The river will hold it. She carries Lia back to the bank, where Felicia is waiting. Lia is changed — slightly lighter, slightly older somehow. FELICIA. We are halfway down. We have to keep walking. There is "re ahead. LIA. Fire? FELICIA. Yes. But it is kind. You will see. ···