I found it in Yemen, I found it in San'aa -- that place of unparalleled mystery, teeming with beautiful women in floating black.
There I was in in the old Yemen souks in a tiny shop crowded with oddities . It wasn't my first time there -- I had already left with old inscribed bowls, with antique lacy lanterns, with a large silver and coral ring. And so I was bold. I leaned over the glass counter, looking into the turban clad owner's eyes.
Show me something special, very special, I said.
Special? he repeated. Oh, I have something you've never seen before. But it's in my home. Will you wait while I get it? He asked.
Yes, I said. I'll wait.
He was back soon. And he brought it out from underneath his robes.
I've never had another one, he said. It's maybe...the only one like it.
It was all brass, heavy. Almost 11 inches tall.
I held it from my fingertips. I spun it.
It was... another world.
I didn't have enough money for it. I didn't have enough money really. But the lure of a parallel universe --the one from the inside looking out -- was too alluring. And so I left.....my wallet empty....
But constellations in my pocket.
