Christopher WunderLee - Moore's Mythopoeia

Purgatorio section 30: The long line halts and sings “Veni, sponsa, de Libano”, as a group of fairies (although Joseph is not homophobic) drop the phantom petals of prehistoric flowers over the chariot, singing “Benedictus qui venis.”

A lady wearing only a white veil over her body appears from the darkness of the cavern. Joseph recognizes her finally.

“Joseph, why are you crying? I’m right here.”

“I’m so pleased to see you Elisa. He left me and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again.”

“Where have you been?”

“You don’t have to tell them about me, do you? You won’t say anything Elisa, please?”

“To who Joseph?”

“It’s against their plan, I know. I loved you, I have learned from the torments and the torture of the lost souls, I swear it. I am not unfaithful.”

Purgatorio section 31: “What are you talking about Joseph? I don’t understand.”

“It’s true, my dear. After you died, I was fucking anything that walked and then, then, she came along, that little lecherous flower. She was always toying with me. It was like she could read my mind. I’m so sorry.” Staring up into Elisa’s eyes, Joseph collapses. He is led to the recently made bed and Elisa removes her dress, but doesn’t lie down. She places his hands on her skin.

Joseph cannot find words to describe his experience thereafter.

Purgatorio section 32: Transfixed by Elisa, Joseph emerges from his trance only by the dancing ladies. As the procession begins to move again, he takes a position at the wheel of the chariot. The marchers circle a tree and, after Elisa places one foot onto the ground, they connect the bed. He sees the bursts of beautiful blossoms springing from the tree. Joseph’s fall disappears within the bed. When he awakens, he finds himself alone with her and her maids. An eagle emerges from the sky and attacks the tree, dropping feathers onto the covers. She scares off a fox that tries to enter then a dragon emerges from the ground and breaks the bed. Feathers cover the remains that sprout seven horned heads. A whore takes a seat upon the bed then a giant joins her. The giant kisses the harlot passionately but then beats her when he sees her attention turn. Angrily, the giant pulls the bed away from the wall.

Purgatorio section 33: “From that most holy wave I now return to you; remade, as new trees are renewed when they bring forth new boughs, I was pure and prepared to climb the stairs.”

Paradiso section 1: Joseph has seen God in all her glory but finds it difficult to articulate his experience as he lies within her (an immediate Reichian convert though). The sun stands at high noon during the vernal equinox when Joseph and Elisa make their ascent from Purgatory to Heaven. Joseph can barely endure the brightness as he turns to face her. As he gazes upon his beloved he becomes “transhumanized” — he loses his physical body. Upon reaching the Sphere of Fire, wonderful white noise and extreme brightness surround the travelers. Elisa explains between moans that his heart moved toward death so quickly because everything has a natural tendency towards destruction.

Paradiso section 2: Joseph and Elisa arrive in the Sphere of the Moon as quickly as an arrow (meaning of course that with proper encouragement, a woman can by-pass several steps).

Paradiso section 3: The cloudy faces of seven spirits appear in the haze and motion, speaking to Joseph. One of the spirits identifies herself as Piccarda Donati and explains that Elisa is assigned to this realm of her heart the spirits, such as inconstant nuns, that broke their vows. However, she continues, all the spirits in, within the bed remain content regardless of their position. Joseph learns that although Elisa’s grace shines on souls in varying degrees, all souls that enter feel perfectly blessed. Another one of her spirits, Constance, confirms the story. As the spirits fade into the haze singing Ave Maria, Joseph sees Elisa again whose face has increased in brightness and beauty.

Paradiso section 4: Puzzled by the visions, Joseph idles but does not broach the subjects with Elisa. Reading his thoughts, Elisa returns to the Empyrean plain. She directs her renewed efforts upon him by turning away.

Paradiso section 5: Her beauty and brightness increase as they ascend because her joy increases.

“Joseph… Jo…seph… a vow… can’t… can’t… be with…drawn… a… a… promise… can… on…ly… be re…placed…

As the two rocket to the next sphere, Elisa’s increased radiance causes the whole sphere to brighten. Joseph’s heart leaps with delight in response to his beloved’s beauty. He finds himself amidst a thousand souls. He begs the spirits to tell him who they are and how they came.

Paradiso section 6: His spirit addresses him in the Sphere of Mercury. A new spirit identifies himself as Romeo.

“It… was… jeal…ousy… the… exile…”

Paradiso section 7: Still in the Sphere of Mercury, Elisa, reading his thoughts, turns her attention to vengeance. She reminds him of her dual nature — human and divine.

Paradiso section 8: Upon seeing her beauty grow again, Joseph realizes that they have ascended to the Sphere of Venus.

Paradiso section 14: “Do… you… think… we… we… can… get back… back… to… our… bodies…?”

The spirits sing a hymn three times. All bodily organs will develop the strength to withstand the extreme brilliance. When body and soul meet again, the spirit will attain infinite and perfect glory. A third crown surrounds the inner two and intensifies the brilliant light surrounding the two. When he raises his eyes again, he realizes that they have entered the Sphere of Mars. He sees two beams of light that intersect to form a cross. Radiant spirits perform an intricate dance while they sing something that Joseph cannot comprehend within the light beams. Overcome, Joseph states that this experience surpasses all of the pleasures he has known.

Paradiso section 15: The music in the Sphere of Mars stops abruptly as the light of a spirit blazes down to approach him.

Paradiso section 16: “…have lost their strength now…”

Paradiso section 23: As the two ascend to the Sphere of the Fixed Stars, Elisa, her face aflame, gazes expectantly toward Heaven. As Joseph’s beloved announces the approach of God… “Ohhhhh… gggaaawwwddd… ohhhHHHH…GGGGAAAAWWwwdddd…”, he notices a great light surrounded by numerous smaller lights in the distance. At first Joseph must lower his eyes from the shocking brilliance but with a smile that sends Joseph into ecstasy.

Paradiso section 24: Elisa begs the gathered spirits to help Joseph. She circles him three times to express her satisfaction and delight in him.

Paradiso section 25: Joseph turns to Elisa but cannot see her.

Paradiso section 27: Still in the Sphere of Fixed Stars, Joseph lies enraptured by the beautiful singing of the blessed.

Paradiso section 28: In her eyes, he sees God in relation to his angels. When he turns from his beloved’s eyes, he faces a tiny pinpoint of great brilliance surrounded by nine concentric circles of light.

Paradiso section 29: Elisa pauses for a moment… “the… in…ten…si…ty… of… love’sss… sweet…ness a… a…ppears… un…eq…uuual…ly….”

Paradiso section 30: He sees angels and saints. Momentarily blinded, he regains his sight to see a river of light flowing past him. Sparks fly out of the river and land on the flowers that line the bed sheets. Elisa prompts him to touch the river. As he touches the light, the river turns into a sea and the sparks of the river transform into the shape of a giant rose. A thousand tiers form the petals of the rose and a great light shines from the center.