At the Lake of the Ibises: An Inked Feather Music composed and performed by Sherif Dahroug Lyre de Mercure, 2024 Dedicated to Ramz Sabry Samy Darkness, silence, the density of matter, the void of the universe, the unseen… A new musical work emerges from the heart of the mythical Al-Ashmonin—Hermopolis, that sacred site of ancient Egypt. The enigmatic, shadowy waters of this lake served as the setting for profound philosophical reflections, particularly on the sacred Ogdoad. This is an exploration of the state before creation, before the first light, before the first sound—a complex mystery embodied in black silt, a primordial substance that holds both light and matter. At this cosmic threshold, the Ibis stands as a symbol and a key to unlocking this universal enigma. The Ogdoad, Hermopolitan cosmic system, represents this pre-creation state through eight divine forces paired together. In this gestating world, darkness is not the absence of light but a fertile womb, akin to dense black earth, as rich as ink, holding within itself the infinite potential of all cosmic matter. At this boundary, the Ibis—emblem of Thoth—embodies wisdom and balance. Like a lotus rising from shadowed waters to bloom under light, the Ibis dives into the black lake, retrieving from its unfathomable depths a universal harmony. With feathers steeped in cosmic ink, it translates the ineffable into comprehensible forms, becoming the bridge between primordial silence and luminous creation. From this sacred lake, humanity emerges purified and imprinted with original knowledge, ready to penetrate the mysteries of creation. This composition seeks to recreate the primordial silence, not as an absence of sound but as a vibratory density—a witness to the genesis of the universe. It aspires to grasp the essence of that fertile black matter, that cosmic ink embodying the philosophy of Ashmonin. "At the Lake of the Ibises: An Inked Feather" transcends music to offer a philosophical journey. Through profound harmonies and introspective melodies, this composition invites meditation on the mysteries of creation and the fundamental dualities governing the universe—a controlled chaos and an emerging harmony. This work celebrates the power of blackness, that fertile blackness which, like the silt of Ashmonin's lake, carries infinity within. A Special Dedication This piece is dedicated to Ramz Sabry Samy, an authentic Egyptian composer and noble friend. Celebrating eighteen years of friendship, including three spent in the privilege of studying harmony and composition under his guidance, this work expresses my deep gratitude to a mentor and friend who, despite fifteen years of distance, has preserved the strength and warmth of our bond. A Timeless Experience Now available, At the Lake of the Ibises: An Inked Feather promises a meditative and transcendent auditory experience, capturing the essence of that fertile silence from which eternity is born. Immerse yourself in the soundscapes of At the Lake of the Ibises: An Inked Feather. Available on all platforms, this work invites you to explore the mysteries of creation through a unique musical experience. Listen, meditate, and let yourself be carried by the depth of the Ibis, like a lotus unfurling on the surface of primordial waters.