Augury: Franz Werfel

Abstract

F.W. (AKA Franz Werfel), a Prague born Austrian writer, living in California during his final years, reincarnated some hundred thousand years after his death. This was just a sort of conventional materialization, the outcome of the usual conjuration of a spirit. Having been buried in his creased tailcoat decorated with his one and only award, his own resuscitated self and also the resuscitating distant posterity must have enjoyed his unchanged looks. After his long stay in the grave, he was surprised by the great changes in the landscape. No clouds in the sky, a dim Sun, lowlands instead of mountains, grey grass with an unknown touch and … “where are the birds” asked awe-stricken F.W. under the ominously silent skies.