My paranormal fiction reflects my deep passion for the numinous realms. I love myth and mystery and magical things, and journeys to that liminal place where the veil between worlds is gossamer thin...
There is a time when it is necessary to abandon the used clothes that already have the shape of our body and to forget the paths that take us always to the same places. This is the time to cross the river, and if we don’t dare do it, we will have stayed forever beneath ourselves.
Fernando Pessoa
Dave Thomas
It is my pleasure dear Readers to introduce you to a wonderful Podcaster, Dave Thomas from “A Mindful Life”.
For a great many years I followed his original Podcast “Walk The Talk” where many people from all walks of life shared their stories of life experiences, facing adversary and finding hope.
Dave, a recently retired long standing Police Detective, shared that he had suffered a breakdown through the pressure of ‘The Job.’ I was very concerned as I have a deep respect for those who put their own wellbeing on the line to look after others, and believe so much more can and should be done to Protect our Protectors in all emergency fields.
A mental breakdown can happen to anyone at anytime. Dave bravely and openly spoke about his lived experience and documented finding his path back to wellbeing on his social media accounts.
I was totally immersed following his journey of the many ways he discovered mindfulness and wellbeing. He is an inspiration to me and many others.
A man who really does Walk his Talk. It takes a huge amount of courage to show up in the World and let others see us as we truly are, our weakness and fears as well as our glories and successes.
Eventually Dave produced, what for me as an avid listener, is his most significant and emotive Podcast. Sharing the story of what led to his breakdown and his way back to Himself. It is a powerful listen. With kind permission I share the links below.
Each episode always ends on a positive note, no matter how emotive the narrative may have been. I find him to be one of the most authentic, kind and empathetic of people.
In life, the ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ can feel all consuming. It is only retrospectively we realise why it had to happen. Many of us will resonate with this. I am not ready to tell my own story of a descent into darkness just yet, instead channel the experiences and lessons into writing my books. That is why I salute the bravery of people like Dave Thomas who stand up and shine their Inner Light to guide others through their own darkness and pain.
“Having completed 25 years police service, a new chapter in my life has begun. Previously focusing on blue light wellbeing on Walk the Talk I will now be focusing on the wider picture of wellness as I pursue my own journey in retirement and I would be delighted if you could join me on A Mindful Life.”
Angel is a diva dog who has it all, beauty, fame and a luxurious uptown life in Manhattan with her doting Grannie and Butler James attending to all her copious ‘want, need, nows!’ What more could a girl want? When Angel meets a super cute boy, who happens to be an incognito King, she realises there is something missing from her life, the royal title of H.R.H Princess Angel to be exact! When her royal suitor bestows tasty treats and offers more, Angel’s dreams of social elevation go to her head. Our girl is on a mission to nab herself a crown and a rather yummy cake. She isn’t about to let the little matter of a true love back home in England spoil her plans. But when old frenemy Kimbles the Bichon biatch arrives in New York, and a blast or two from the past reappears, life becomes “it’s complicated” and Angel finds she has more than a touch of trouble on her delectable paws. Mischief and mayhem ensue as our girl is determined to have her crown and wear it and have her cake and eat it!
Enjoy an extract from “ANGEL CAKE” from the paws of Angel Nash.
In which the Muse is upon Angel as she channels Lord Byron and exposes Grannie as a love cheat along the way!
“Beauty, thy name is Angel… “
‘Oh is that by a famous poet?’ You may solicitously inquire, my Lovelies.
Hmm…It is indeed by someone famous, but not a poet. Someone who, dare I say, may well be a Literary Genius! Have you guessed??? Who comes to mind??? Clever you! Yes…It is by Moi, and it is all about Moi…Who else?! Now you and I, and all the World know I am indeed beautiful, so why am I penning the obvious?!! ‘Cos I can, My Lovelies…I Am The Paws! And like the first canine, like ever, to be a real Author…How cool is that??? No need to answer My Lovelies, the question is purely rhetorical. It is more cool than a polar bear in Ray Bans sunbathing on an iceberg.
‘How did you discover your talent for poetry?’ you may well further solicitously ask me, my Lovelies.
Well it was all because of Grannie skanking with a famous poet and threatening my family security and also our shopping trip to Nieman Marcus…Read on…time for another of our little “Shh…secret sharing sessions”…
It was the day after the whole debacle with GrandPa and the floozie that turned out to be an annual herb, and my abandoned date with that Angel cake and Krios at the Loeb boathouse restaurant in Central Park. Grannie was trying to make things up to me and we were chilling with smoked salmon and cream cheese blinis and chilled Chardonnay in our Penthouse. I was trying to talk to Grannie about something really important. Shopping. But she just wasn’t listening and she had this really stoopid mushy, faraway look on her face. She was muttering something about ‘his words being soooo sublime and how blessed she was to have her perfect man.’ Hmmm…who was this geezer she was ranting on about and more importantly did my G.G.P (Grumpy GrandPa) know? and if not, why not…So in the interests of family unity, getting my own back and shopping, I did the right thing. I once again Face Timed him back home in in England’s green and pleasant land from my Apple iPad in the big Apple.
‘GrandPa, listen up, I need to snitch on Grannie, Erm, I mean tell you something…this is very serious….Grotty Grannie has another man and he has been sending her love letters!’ I solicitously informed him.
‘Grooouuumppphhhh…W.T.F? Didn’t you cause enough trouble yesterday, you little Minx!’ He eloquently answered as he choked on his Gordon’s and tonic. Obviously having had one or ten too many. Just sayin’ G.G.P!
Funny how I got the blame for what was patently not my fault. I decided to be the bigger dog, which is no mean feat when you are less than a foot tall, and ignore his accusation. This matter was way to important for pettiness. Direct action was called for. Westies are renowned for our feisty and fearless disposition, so ignoring his apparent discomfort, I proceeded with my expose of my manky, home wrecking and cheating Grannie.
‘See for yourself!’ says I, turning the camera on naughty Grannie as she sat, eyes glazed, reading some tosh from a card with a pink love heart and red roses on it.
‘What are you reading Grannie?’ I cleverly asked, my suspicion it was a missive from her mystery man was confirmed as she spouted…
‘She walks in beauty, like the night…’ sigh...
‘And all that’s best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow’d to that tender light which heaven to gaudy day denies…’ sigh…
‘One shade the more, one ray the less, had half impaired the nameless grace which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express how pure, how dear their dwelling-place.’ Mega deep sigh
‘And on that cheek, and o’er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent!’
Even deeper sigh. Eww. Humphhh…I’d hardly call Grannie’s black and shameless heart innocent, and I was sure G.G.P wouldn’t either!
‘See and hear for yourself G.G.P! Grannie is far from innocent and that geezer’s barely literate…’ I was triumphant! Grannie was caught cheating and totally unaware G.G.P was witnessing her bare faced skanking! That will teach her to ignore Moi when I need to go shopping…
‘Angel….You Minx!!!’ My ingrate of a GrandPa shouted at Moi. This was getting to be a bad habit.
Then Grannie’s phone rang. Then my Oldies had a very loooonggggg convo about Moi. Then unbelievably, and unfairly they both said I am so totally grounded. Again. Porquoi???
Hurrumphh. Who Knew???? The manky card was from him to her. Erm, it seems they had a thing called an anniversary. Seems she likes poetry. Seems she likes this geezer called Byron. But it is OK. He’s dead. G.G.P has nothing to worry about and neither do I, apart from getting down to Fifth Avenue pronto…I need to get ungrounded like right now. Hmm, I have a little idea! If some rubbishy old poet has that effect on my Grannie, then I definitely can do better. Neiman Marcus have some lovely Loro Piana scarfs in. I like them. They look good on Moi. I need Grannie to grab her Amex and buy me a nice Jardin Berbere cashmere one, a mere snip at about $2,000 before they sell out…I want to look good when I finally get my paws on that Angel cake and manage to keep a royal date with Krios. So I have penned this just for her, I think she will be impressed to be immortalised in verse, and more than happy to flash the cash for Moi, don’t you?
A murder of crows
Hung deceptively low
Over a cold scene
Darkness crawled
Through, all around
I heard a calling
From high above
The murder in choir
Startling observers
High and low
Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen ~Tournée du Chat Noir de Rodolphe Salis via Wikimedia Commons
Henry the cat here with a little coffee time tale from my home at the Black Cat Café in Providence, Rhode Island. My person Cassie owns the place. Whilst she is busy brewing and baking, I like to curl up on a cosy couch and people watch. Entertaining business for a fabulous feline with an interest in depth psychology.
A quiet Monday, mid morning and I saw her, one that left a mark. A woman of a certain age, nicely dressed and sat ensconced in one of the big leather armchairs. She’d nabbed a quiet place tucked in the corner of the coffee shop. I watched her nursing her cup of strong black coffee, pain etched on her face.
She did not see me. Her eyes were fixed on something or someone in her own private mind movie. I wondered what hurt she was reliving and was it somewhere back in time or a fresh memory? No matter, really. Heartache is heartache. It all hurts the same, be it old or new.
I padded over and jumped up on the seat beside her. Maybe I could help? Sometimes humans find it good to talk, especially to a handsome and understanding chap like myself.
She became aware of my Presence, and blinked away threatening tears as she came back into the space we shared. But the shutters were down. I had intruded on a private thing. But being rather empathetic, it was if a huge wave of emotion had washed over me and I felt the full force of her pain. I saw she knew I knew! I looked forward to getting down to the nitty gritty, a little psychoanalysing on the couch and her eternal appreciation. I considered maybe even letting her stroke my luxurious fur as party of my feline therapy session. And then with an almighty shock I realised she resented me for it, my seeing deeply inside her. I felt my claws involuntarily come out, ohhh what an ungrateful human!
Cassie came over to the table, all smiles and blonde curls swinging around her cheerful face. She looked at the claws, I quickly retracted. Cassie asked the woman if she would like a refill, on the house.
With a curt ‘No’ she thrust her empty cup at Cassie. Not expecting it, Cassie grasped for the cup which melted through her fingers and shattered on the floor. My hackles raised, I hissed. And then I saw them. The commotion had caught other Patrons attention, all except a well dressed man of a certain age, studiously avoiding looking in our direction, and his much younger, very pretty and smiley female companion snuggled close to him on a couch made for sharing.
The Ingrate got up, without giving me a second glance, and walked away trailing her sadness behind her like cheap perfume. I was right, it was a matter of the heart, but if that was how she responded to kindness and empathy, well, no wonder her man was with another woman!
Feeling a sudden warmth towards the ‘other woman’, I sauntered over and brushed against her legs. With a tinkle of laughter, she leaned over and gently brushed my fur and tickled my ears. I immediately liked her, a lot. What was a boy to do? I immediately rolled over for belly rubs, the lady’s illicit companion also joined in the adoration of Moi, and that was when I saw the evidence.
Oh my, appearances can be deceptive. They had matching diamond wedding bands. The light of illumination came on…
I promised myself if that old nasty woman ever came back there would be no retracting my delectable claws!
Two imperfect people,adrift on the Seas of Life. The Fates navigated them by the stars above to find safe harbour in the perfection of each other, upon the shores of Love.
Weaving your magic through the dark heart of night, tendrils of love reaching through the ethers. The Essence of you, slipping beneath my sheets and into the fabric of my dreams…
I would like to share a little 20 minute meditation that I made up and have been doing for a great many years.I strongly feel that when we are at one with Nature and look after our beautiful Planet Earth, then we, Gaia’s Beloved children, are also nurtured and grow in love and understanding for All that Is.
I offer this, with Love from me to you x
PLANETARY HEALING MEDITATION/VISUALISATION FOR GAIA
Find a comfortable place to sit or lay down, making sure you will be warm and not disturbed. Take several deep breathes. As you breathe in, you are filling your lungs with energising pure white Light. And as you breathe out you are letting go of all stress, strain or worry. This is your special time to connect deeply with Gaia, the spirit of our beautiful planet Earth and your own special deities, with the Saints, Ascended Masters, Angels, Archangels and the Divine Feminine and with All that Is, Source, God, The Godhead. We are all one.
As above, so below, as without, so within.
When you are ready, we will begin. Use whatever senses you like to enjoy our planetary healing visualisation/mediation: See, hear or sense the words in a way that works for you!
See a beautiful crystalline pyramid surroundingyou, the base beneath your feet and the tip of the pyramid reaching through the stratosphere to the very edge our beautiful planet Earth. Now see another inverted pyramid, the base beneath your feet and the tip to the underside of Earth, our home in our amazing Universe. The two pyramids merge into an octahedron, with you perfectly calm and perfectly safe within.
Now see/sense/feel a brilliant white Light pouring from the Heart of Heaven down through the pyramid, through YOU…The Light is cleansing, purifying and healing. It pours through your crown and fills every part of you: skin, bones, muscles, organs, blood, nervous system and also your auric field.
The Light travels through, in, around and down you and out your feet continuing through the pyramid, through to the edge of the Earth. It is beautiful to be held in this Light from Heaven itself.
From your lovely and loving heart centre the Light begins radiating out in concentric circles to your home, your loved ones, friends, neighbourhood, your village, city, town, your country and onwards in waves out into the whole wide world.
It feels so good to be held in the light of Love. Knowing you are a Light-worker for the good of both Gaia and the Cosmos.
Hold in your heart and mind this healing Light of Love as it travel through you to all of Humanity. To all of the Animal Kingdom and the Plant Kingdom. To the elements and creatures of each element, Air, Fire, Water, Earth, Ether. Send this Light to everything and everyone you wish to focus on.
The Keepers of the wisdom of the Deep, Dolphins and Whales. To Sea mammals. All the fish and crustaceans and water dwellers.
To creatures of the land both warm and cold blooded, carnivores and herbivores, to ruminants, flocks and herds of all animal families, beetle and bugs, creatures that creep and crawl. To all reptiles.
To the creatures of the air who take flight, birds, butterflies, bees, bats, flying insects.
And to the Earth herself, all her geology and geography. Her fossil fuels, minerals, crystals, rocks, granites, marbles, geysers, hot springs. Her Polar Caps,Mountain ranges, Valleys, Rain Forests, Woodlands, Fields, Prairies, Desserts, Beaches and her grasses, trees, flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetables. Her oceans, seas, rivers, waterfalls, tributaries, streams, ponds and resevoirs.
FEEL AND KNOW yourself connected with all of Creation.
In this place of total connection, feeling your special place in the Divine Plan, we will call in the Divinities.
Invite the Angels to pour their Love and Light into your octahedron pyramids, to you and through you out into the whole world and everything that is in, on and of the Earth.
Invite the Ascended Masters, the Saints and Illumined Ones for their compassion and understanding as they once walked your path and that of all of us upon the Earth.They understand our challenges, our hopes, dreams, fears, desires, aspirations. Our creativity, our destruction, our Light and our Darkness.
Invite the the twelve Archangels Ariel, Azrael, Chamuel, Gabriel, Jeremiel, Jophiel, Metatron, Michael, Raphael, Raziel, Raguel, Sandelphon, Uriel, Zadkiel to bring their Divine power and Light, healing and Love.
Invite all the other Angelic Host, the Principalities, Powers, Virtues,Dominions, Thrones, Cherubim and Seraphim for their Heavenly Love.
Invite the Divine Feminine, The Sophia, for the Unconditional Love in Her Aspects of Mother God: Mother Mary, The Lady Mary Magdalene, The Lady Kwan Yin, Gaia and The Goddesses known to the World.
Now see a brilliant golden Light pouring down, the Christ Light of compassion and Love for all that is, all that was and all that will ever be.
Finally sense, see, feelthe Violet Flame of God holding the Earth, Our Gaia Herself, in Divinity. The Love of the Godhead for all creation transmuting all fear, pain and suffering into the pure essence of LOVE. For love is from where we came and where we will return. In truth, all there is and ever will be, is LOVE.
This healing meditation for yourself and our beloved planet is now complete.
Take several deep breathes and give gratitude for the blessings you have invoked for All.
Ground, by seeing golden roots from your root chakra, your feet and hands going deeply down into the good, rich Earth. And KNOW you matter and you are Loved.
Darkness beckons I hear Lilith’s call Willingly Falling Into the soothing deep Velvet night beguiles Enchants, revives By Moonlight the pain Of brittle, harsh day Fades away. Tenebrous tendrils Drawing body and Soul Into the Void Inner Light Re-ignites. I am Home. I am Whole.
My path is mine and mine alone to walk, as is yours too. Happenstance, time to time we meet others along our way and travel together for a while. Perhaps we share stories, laughter, music and song. Perhaps we commiserate and offer advice for things that have gone wrong. Maybe we have words to inspire or the strength to carry a weary Soul for a while. May we feel better for the time shared and Merry Meet and Merry part as we continue the journey on the long road ‘Home’. Love Eily 💜
‘Would Sir care to join me in my bedchamber?’ Evelyn enquired, head tilted coyly to one side.
Adam was taken off guard by her request, this was a move he had not anticipated. Evelyn had been so elusive his normal confidence with women had subsided. The lady had spoken and he did not need to be asked twice. With gallant good humour Adam responded,
‘If the White Queen so wishes, then her Black Knight is honoured to acquiesce to M’Lady’s request!’ Adam made his way across the flagstones of the darkened Inn. As he followed the swish of Evelyn’s long Gossamer dress as she vanished into the all-pervading gloom, he smiled quietly. He had set out to play a game to win, a game of check mating her into the bedroom. Now the tables had been turned, Adam really did not care. He desperately wanted to be close to Evelyn, and not for any of the reasons he has started with. It was not lust that now motivated him, there was an almost magnetic pull to his beautiful, beguiling companion. They had started a strange journey together, and Adam was more than happy to see where it led to, somewhere across forever, he hoped.
At the top of the steep and narrow stairs everything was absolutely pitch black. He was aware his feet were treading on ancient wooden floorboards that creaked in complaint at their weight. Evelyn continued catlike down a long length of corridor. She did not seem to need any light to find her way.
Adam followed closely on her footsteps, not entirely comfortable in the pitch blackness. He heard a rasp as an antique door was scraped open across the ancient floor. Then totally unexpectedly light illuminated the darkness. He had gained admittance into M’Lady’s bedchamber and Adam Knight, arch womanizer was as nervous as hell.
Evelyn’s room was lit with a myriad of candles. They were on the stone window ledges of the two latticed windows and also placed in the hearth of the large inglenook fireplace in which a fire was lit and blazing with dancing red and gold flames. The heady scent of Patchouli filled the room.Momentarily, the thought crossed his mind that the entire evening Evelyn had not left the lower floor, what unseen hand had lit the fire and fresh candles? She walked towards her four poster bed which had been hewn from rich dark oak and ornately carved. The bed was draped with heavy silk brocade, purple and gold threads entwined in an elegant pattern. Adam was surprised. Downstairs the Inn had been so dilapidated. This room was fit for a goddess, for his own personal goddess of the Half Moon Inn.
And there she stood by the light of the fire in all her beauty. As Adam regarded his Eve, his heart filled with love. She was just so delicately beautiful and ethereal. He had never been a religious man, yet he found himself whispering to her a verse from King Solomon’s Song of Songs:
‘Who is this woman?
She seems to shine like the dawn.
She seems as beautiful as the moon.
She seems as bright as the sun.
She is as wonderful as the stars’
And in return Evelyn whispered softly.
‘My Beloved is mine, and I am his.’
Evelyn slowly removed the Gossamer dress, letting it slid down her body and fall in a gently crumpled heap at her feet, she delicately stood out of the dress and stood before him in her nakedness. There was a translucent quality to her unblemished porcelain skin, almost as if she were not of this world. In the soft light of the dancing flames she was timeless and numinous. Adam, enthralled, walked towards his prize and ran his hands through her long black hair and entwining his fingers in Evelyn’s luxurious, flowing locks. His eyes were fixed on hers, lost in their depths of darkness. She still held mysteries as yet unfathomed but the night was not over yet. He saw his own face reflected back in the light of her eyes, and saw softness there, he also saw compassion and tenderness. He saw Love. With exquisite tenderness she undressed him and taking a little vial of oil from the hearth, she kissed his head, hands and feet as she reverently anointed his body with precious Spikenard. The aroma of the heady amber oil filled his head as Evelyn, taking his hand in her delicate fingers gently led him to the little latticed window.
Throwing open the panes, a rush of cool air stroked their naked bodies.
‘Isn’t she beautiful?’ whispered Evelyn, looking skyward. The storm had passed and the night sky was a black velvet blanket covered with a myriad of sparkling diamonds. The moon hung low against this celestial backdrop, a perfect orb of brilliant milky white.
‘A giant pearl’, he smiled, ‘A moon pearl!’
Evelyn did not answer as she stood moon gazing. She was totally transfixed, entranced looking at the heavenly orb.
Raising her slender, milky arms into the air, her slender body swaying gently, she began chanting and intoning sacred words.
‘What are you doing’, he puzzled.
‘Drawing down the Moon’, came back her cryptic reply. With eyes closed and her body still slightly swaying she chanted melodic words.
‘I am the Maiden,
I am the Mother
and I am the Crone
I am the Hart and the Moon gazing Hare
I am the Holly, the Ivy, the Oak
I am the Owl, the Nightingale and the Crow
I am the Forest, the Meadow,
I am the Hearth and the Home
I am the Rivers, the Oceans and Seas,
I am the Light of the Night and Lilith’s Dark Moon
I am your Hopes, your Fears and all your Desires
….all that there is dwells in me
I am the Goddess of the Triple Trinity.’
Evelyn appeared to have an aura of shimmering light around her body. Her body was present in the room, yet he could see she was transported to another place that was not of this world. Adam saw she was lost in a trancelike state, caught between him and the magic and mystery of the moon.
Adam was not sure if the effects of the fire and candle light were causing him to see things. Her face was lost in rapture and she appeared to radiate an inner light. At that moment he did not know her. She was more than his delicate Eve, she was emanating a supernal light, a power and radiance. The moon beams were dancing in the room and there was a feeling of power and wonder. As Evelyn’s chanting and swaying increased he felt a surge of ecstatic energy course through his body, as if he were electrified and alive with her pulsating words. And then she was quiet and still, it all subsided and Adam, filled with emotion, fell to his knees, wrapping his strong arms around Evelyn’s slender waist. Burrowing his head in her soft belly he sobbed as he had never ever cried before. His hot tears ran in rivers over her soft skin, and Evelyn tenderly stroked his hair, and let the release come. All the pain stored in his heart burst forth. The dam had broken and the floodgates opened. Eventually the wracking sobs abated and he felt cleansed. Looking up at the brilliance of the moon, a peace descended upon him.
‘Thank you Mother’ he whispered into the night sky and Lady Luna shining her benediction down upon her son.
He felt the light touch of Evelyn’s skin on his. Tenderly she raised him to his feet, and dried his wet face with strands of her long black hair. Taking both his hands in hers, she led Adam to her bed. By the light of the fire and warm candle glow their bodies entwined. Every brush of her lips and delicate touch of her finger tips electrified his body. With a passion Adam had never felt before, he wrapped his woman in his strong arms and was lost in the sublime bliss of her love. Two bodies merged and two spirits soared. He felt as if he had left his body and was pure Spirit, as was his beloved. Two became one. Two bodies, two hearts, two souls unified across time and space. There was no Adam and there was no Eve, there was just unimaginable and unbearable ecstasy and Bliss. In the light of the flames and the half light of the night they danced in the light of love and experienced the almost unbearable light of being.
When their lovemaking was over, Adam held Evelyn as if he would never let her go. They lay together watching the moon in her beauty and fullness.
‘The Lady has blessed us Adam’, murmured Evelyn.
‘Ah, the Lady came alive in you my Love, Eve you are my very own Moon Goddess and I worship at you.’
Adam fell asleep in his lover’s arms, wrapped in her embrace. His tortured soul was at last content and at peace.
I am in awe of the talent of singer/songwriter Penny from Penny’s Scar. This is just so deep, sending shivers up the spine. Please support a fabulous Indie Artiste and have a listen and follow her channel 🖤🎶🙏
The moon is full, night calls as darkness rises in me. Many a man is petrified by the hungry Wolf’s claw, lest I rip flesh & sinew from their bones. But you, my mortal Love, have no fear of me. Only you get to feel my touch as soft as a velvet glove.
Dark and delectable as ruby red wine The taste of her lips touching mine Fingers run through long blonde hair Smoke from candle flames curl in the air Mirror reflects the look in her dark eyes Black satin dress slides to the floor The promise of night, lust and amour Smiling she steps naked into my arms I am lost to the beguiling Witch’s charms
Find my books on Amazon 🖤📚Noir Nocte: Witch Lit Love Poetry
That which has been constrained by chains of day, unleashed into the dark heart of night.
Born of a thousand stars and the fires of hell, the She Devil is incandescent, infernal Light.
In dreams she comes to you. Invades your thoughts, willingly you invite her into your bed. Excited by a demon lover, your body enflamed by her touch. You succumb to her dark charms.
There is no escape from that which has been made manifest by your own deep, dark desires.
Pray for the light of dawn and breaking of the day, lest the Succubus feeds her voracious hunger and devours your heart. Bid her leave your arms before she carries your very soul away to be consumed in flames of the endless abyss.
There is a woman I used to know let’s call her Lana. I helped her a lot with stuff over the years, her younger husband falling for an even younger woman, his cheating, the divorce that ensued & her suicidal ideations, then her inability to accept her child coming out as gay, followed by the death of her bigoted parent. There were many teas and tears in my witchy kitchen. The most memorable was with an old lover of hers who put in a reappearance in quite an unusual way…
Back in the day the love of her life, Carter, treated her badly, preferring bikes, beer and mates. They split but she never really loved anyone like him. Years roll on and they meet and seeing she is (as she supposes) happily married they stay just friends, with the occasional benefit. He wants her back but she knows it would not work. The friendly beers with the boys had long ago turned into addiction.He was a highly functioning alchoholic.
Anyhow, Carter died suddenly, his once fit body ravaged by years of abuse gave out way too soon. Lana was heartbroken. Came to see me for tea and sympathy and maybe hoping I may get my Tarot cards out. There was no need, as she walked into my kitchen,Carter came in too!
I saw him as a large grey shadow by her side. I could ‘sense’ what he looked like but not see him other than this very tall, grey shadowy shape. I told her he was there and where he was standing.
Lana said she knew, she felt him come in too and hoped he would give me a message for her.
Then to my shame something happened I regretted.This was years ago and I didn’t know how to use the ‘gift’ as I now do.
I heard Carter talking inside my head, his voice was urgent. Wanting me to connect my energy with him to let her Know he was OK.
I was scared if I let him in then I would not get rid of him, so I closed down. But not before he told me to let her know he had loved her, Lana had been his true love, the love of his life and he had thrown it away. I thought Lana would be hugely upset, but she wasn’t, his words were what she needed to hear in order to lay the ghosts of their past to rest. When she left she was happy…Until the young husband’s skulduggery with the much younger lover came to light, but that is a private matter, not my story to tell.
Now many years have passed, Lana has long gone, and is the way of ‘eaten bread is soon forgotten’ so too my kindnesses have also been long forgotten. With the passage of time and many Spirit visitors later, I do know how to send them on their way, just always feel bad about that one!
The spooky stuff that has really happened to me, I have enough to write a book and not one of my usual fictional ones!! Maybe I shall…one day.
Beneath the light of a Flower Moon, the Faerie Queen looked upon her blessed realms of The Summerlands, stretching as far as the eye can see. Beauty reaching to infinity.
Dimpsey Dusk narrated by Dave Thomas
I have long been a huge admirer of Wellbeing Podcaster Dave Thomas from A Mindful Life. It is my pleasure to share Dave’s work with you and an episode where he delightfully narrates one of my short stories, Dimpsey Dusk, from my book GOSSAMER THREADS.
Wellbeing is an issue close to my heart, I highly recommend the wonderfully diverse content on Dave Thomas’ shows, the episodes have hugely interesting guests relating their true life experiences. They are inspiring and uplifting and give us all hope that we can and do overcome adversary.
My appearance of the show is a little piece of whimsey to bring just a touch of magic your way. Enjoy!
DIMPSEY DUSK
I’d heard many an ancient story told, of the magic the Bluebell Woods may hold. Did I believe it, was it for real? If a mortal man stood in a faerie ring, precious time was something they would steal. Could there really be such a thing? The thoughts rattled around my head, I admit by curiosity I was led. It was back in the merry month of May, as I recall, ’twas Beltane day and just as the dimpsey dusk had begun to fall, I heard enchantment call.
I set off down a country lane, clambering over stiles, a rickety bridge across a rhyne and through the fields of Barley, until I stood at the entrance to the Bluebell Woods. I had left the world so mundane, seeking the magic that lives in a space beyond the confines of time. I stood very still, barely holding my breath. What if the myths were true, could meeting the Fae really cause a man’s death? Beautiful Bluebells, their scent pervaded the air. Suddenly I did not care as their tinkling chimes dispelled my fear, I could sense the magic as I drew near.
With glow worms to light the way, I followed a winding trail, determined to return to tell the tale. The leaves begin to sway, dancing to the birds signalling the end of day. Then I saw him, my heart skipped a beat. A little fellow, so dapper and neat. He had a suit of red and green, such a creature I had never seen. Shiny black shoes with silver buckles upon his feet. With cheerful words he greeted me, ‘Good Sir, Merry Meet!’
I was so surprised when he spoke and told me he was of the Elven folk. Reaching up, he took my hand and led me into an enchanted land.How blessed was I to see a sight, granted to a mortal man that warm Summer's night. In a clearing in the woods, the Beltane fire burned high and bright. Beside the Elf, I felt brave and I felt bold, and so I stood, quite at ease and protected by the trees, and watched it all unfold.
I was midst the Royal Court of the Fae as their magical May procession got underway, led by the Faerie Queen and her Holly King. Oh her beauty had to be seen! Her silken gown was spun from gossamer threads, a golden diadem upon her lovely head. Her flaxen hair was loose and long and came tumbling down. Her Consort, a majestic sight as he took her hand and they sallied forth into the night. The Faerie folk, Elves, Hobgoblins, Dryads, Sprites and Nymphs all bowed down to She who wore the Green Wood Crown.
Enchanted I watched as their Majesties walked by, the Faerie Queen caught my eye. She beckoned me to join her entourage and follow the retinue. I did not hesitate, grabbing the little Elf by the hand, I did as she bid me to and went further into the deep dark woods. Along the way Fireflies flew, tiny sparks of dazzling, dancing light, as the procession came through.
By the Beltane fire, I saw two thrones, hewn from ancient stone. I felt the power build and rise from the forest floor. I had wandered through a liminal corridor. A land of beauty, magic, song and dance. The whole forest was alive, and I was entranced. Beetles, bugs and Bees joined in the festivities. There was nectar to sip and cake to eat. A giant toadstool became my seat. Fallow Deer, Badgers, Stoats, Mice, Foxes, Hedgehogs and Voles are came creeping shyly in to pay homage to the Faerie Queen. Such marvellous sights, the like of which I had never seen!
And through the night music played, on a Harpsichord, flutes and Mandolins, and a Nightingale sang madrigals and songs of Courtly love. Oh how we danced and twirled and spun in circles, round and round. My feet hardly touched the ground! And then from somewhere high above, I heard a Barn Owl screech and in a happy, dizzy haze I fell upon the forest floor. The sights and sounds receded, I looked but although he was needed, my Elven friend was somewhere out of reach.
Beneath the light of a Flower Moon, the Faerie Queen looked upon her blessed realms of The Summerlands, stretching as far as the eye can see. Beauty reaching to infinity. With a wave of her magic wand and the mists begin to rise around Avalon. Sleep fell upon me, and enchanted by the Queen of the Green Wood’s spell, I kept the secret. For their story I would never tell.
Eily Nash ~2020
Bitter Sweet addiction of mine … We were not destined to stand the test of time. You were the lust and longing coursing through my veins. You were my pleasure and my pain. For a while you were the breath of life, how bright passion’s flame did burn. To ashes and dust we must return. Spells like hearts can be broken. Goodbye, farewell. Know that I loved you well.
In the deep purple twilight music fills the air. The longing in my heart draws you into my magical world to dance beneath the Midnight Sun, caressed by the kiss of a thousand falling stars ✨
In the twilight of my years I sit alone in quiet reverie. All I have are memories and fragments of poetry. Words of longing, love and loss; My tears of ink on parchment fall. If you could read my words would your heart cry too, for what might have been and the sad futility of it all.
With lovelorn eyes I looked back through the lens of time and watched the delicate beauty of a Butterfly. With gossamer wings warmed by the light of the sun, she swept and soared across endless skies. How the sight enchanted me and the shadow of a smile played across my face.
The Butterfly came to a place where the wild Roses grow, and intoxicated by the scent of sweet perfume she alighted upon a fragrant bloom. His allure was such, much as she longed to take to the skies once more, he enticed her to stay for just a little while.
Eons passed sadly by, her wings were now tatted and torn and she was unable to fly. Oh how she rued the day the wild Rose with his viciously jealous thorns stole her freedom away.
And I, a silent witness to it all could only watch and weep.
Eily Nash ~ 2022
My good friends Raymondé and Randy have joined me in a trilogy of poetry.
Let there be Dragons, Butterflies, Witches, Dragonflies and Love!
💚🐉🦋✨
Beautiful Butterfly from Pixabay
My eyes tilted toward the stars
I am breathless
For in this moment
I let go
Sinking into midnights seduction
My heart beats softer here
Closer to the quiet
Deeper inside
Where clover fields weave
Into a rhythmic sway
Echoes of dragonfly wings
Swindling the air
As I lay here
Peacefully dreaming
In shades of you
~Raymondé
A Witchy woman was she
Her mistral winds bent the trees
Electric storms crept into view
Silhouettes flashed in cerulean blue
The dragon’s eyes watched with delight
A scarlet butterfly dance in the night
Forbidden lovers trapped in a spell
Washed away in the rains that fell
A brief reprieve from the torturous days
Soon their Witchy friend would find a way
Potions, spells and magick brew
Gossamer tales always come true
~Randy Wiley
Image from Pixabay
Autumn leaves are falling.
The magic of our Summer love enchanted both Earth and Sky.
What mortal hand can hold the dance of Dragonflies?
Winter bids me sleep, Spring calls to you.
Fly away, fly high, on gossamer wings.
Your seasons change, my constant heart sings of eternal love…
This body grows old and dies.
My heart, forever young, sings.
Eternal love, unlike changing seasons, is never done.
~Eily Nash
Raymondé’s ‘Beautiful Knowing’ is available on Amazon as Kindle, Paperback & Hardback editions. a perfect gift of Love.
This beautiful poet is also an accomplished singer/songwriter, her haunting melodies are FREE to listen and download on the Soundclick Platform!
Kissed by the sun & the soft touch of sweet summer rain, she stepped out of her black velvet cloak to dance sky clad in fields of green and crops of gold.
Gaia’s child chanted Her words of power, with a heart flowing with gratitude for the bounty of the land and the gift of life, for the Great Mother had showed her the secrets, wonder and beauty of the Earth.
A canticle of praise flowed from her lips to God in His heavens above.
The Father’s benediction spread across skies of blue and fell upon her and all his holy creation below, and those who follow ancient paths and the ways of old.
‘I will take you to to the place where the wild roses grow, we will sit a while upon the the lush green riverbank beneath a sun kissed sky and watch dragonflies dance upon peaceful waters as they flow by. There is no other, my dear, I plight my troth to thee!’
I took him at his word and my True Love gave to me a rose. Petals as dark as blackest night. The thorns tore deep and caused my heart to bleed. My red blood fell upon pure white snow. My tears lost upon turbulent seas. A murder of crows cawed at my misery, the truth was there to see.
Come with me on butterfly wings and we shall kiss the moon. And dance upon the stars to the music of the Spheres. For you and I, my precious one, our eternal souls entwined in love, glisten like the midnight sun✨
It was a beautiful time, constructing castles and creating a fairytale land. Until one day the sea of reality came crashing in and washed the magick clean away.
There is no never ending story for that which is built upon sand…
In the winter of my broken heart, I lay down to rest in the harsh embrace of the cold, hard ground. I am so near and yet so far, whisper your name, but you do not hear. Alone with just fragrant fragments and memories of lost love. I watch the seasons pass like Blossom on the breeze from the cold comfort of my Earthbound home, here my English Country Churchyard.
Poetry makes the heart sing. I am delighted to share with my dear Worldwide Readers another lyrical romantic collaboration from the poetic pens of Chris and Randy. Enjoy sharing the Love!
It's the one
who knows
the woman-
the me, behind the lines..
The collector
who gathers
of my joys, my woes..
A protector
of my heart, my words-
You; my guardian of sentiment...
~cf
****************
I collect you - all of you.
I breathe you in and slowly exhale
holding onto your essence
before the next breath draws you
deep into a collection of euphoric sighs.
You are the air that breathes life into these veins,
and in every exhale, traces that feed this hungry heart
which starves for you - all of you.
RW
The bridge is down
My heart has found another rock to throw
Wispy sounds on the water rippling through broken shadows
Kissing time
Frozen inside
Which way do I go
Midnight coming
Slowly takes the pain away
Salivating soul drowning in this evading place
Oh I am your daughter
Whispers of you innocence the truth
You never wanted me
Drowning in the rain
Oh the falling
Dare this beautiful broken dream
Swallowing like sorrow
Tasting bitter wounds that stain
Oh the falling
Who are you suppose to be
So lay low
Tired and weary this love
Oh I am frozen
My soul melting in the sun
Oh I'm your daughter
Oh you forgot
Riveting sound that has bound these tears to my eyes
Wailing inside where shadows hide breaking my soul
Wishing lies would fade in time haunting me forever
I have chased you too many time now I'm letting go
Anticipating everything everywhere
Hypnotized for a sign of your love
I am your daughter
Oh the falling
Dare this beautiful broken dream
Swallowing like sorrow
Tasting bitter wounds that stain
Oh the falling
Who are you suppose to be
So lay low
Tired and weary this love
Oh I am frozen
My soul melting in the sun
Oh I'm your daughter
So you forgot
And the night comes closer to me
Holding me so close
And you cry just to dream
Holding onto love
Oh I'm your daughter
So you forgot
Oh the falling
Dare this beautiful broken dream
Swallowing like sorrow
Tasting bitter wounds that stain
Oh the falling
Who are you suppose to be
So lay low
Tired and weary this love
And oh I am frozen
My soul melting in the sun
Oh I'm your daughter
So you forgot
Oh the falling
Dare this beautiful broken dream
Swallowing like sorrow
Tasting bitter wounds that stain
Oh the falling
Who are you suppose to be
So lay low
Tired and weary this love
Oh I am frozen
My soul melting in the sun
Oh I'm your daughter
So you forgot
Meet me on the field of dreams
Where nothing is as it seems
Deep in the realms of dark fantasy
Desire brought us together in reality
Summoned by power of Witch light
Love and lust lit up the heart of night
Dawn broke and the cold light of day
Crept in to steal night’s magic away✨
~Eily Nash
I adore the amazing poetry of Raymondé and it is my pleasure to share one of the Poet’s own favourites from her new book ‘BEAUTIFUL KNOWING’ ~out on Amazon now as Hardback, Paperback and Kindle editions. Take a look inside the book from the Amazon previewer at the end of ‘The Willow Tree Standing There’.
The Willow Tree Standing There
Hidden behind these branches of time There is a key dangling Tight around the old Willow tree The wind standing still Timid to move through the day Leaves remain holding tight in their place As the old rusty lock swings in the air Swindled by Autumns sun glistening glare Touching metal and bark then parting the light This dream so abrupt when the bough starts to break From the landing of a crow as it makes the branch shake The lull of a song when the wind starts to fade Till the next time it blows quietly it waits For my lips wish to taste the heart of the rain After the day fades and the Moon sits by my side I will gather the lilies that grew in it's light This beauty around me holding me here Touched by all this magic The Willow tree standing there
I am once again honoured to share the work of the sultry and soulful songstress, Penny from Penny’s Scar. I particularly love this track. Follow Penny on Twitter and listen to her catalogue of gorgeous alternative ballads for free on SoundClick.
I cried and I tried but I just can’t hold it in
All the pain
I scream when I dream all these thoughts in my head
They keep haunting me
Breathing
Breathing in these things
The clock on the wall keeps looking back at me
Why are you screaming
The hurt well I tucked it away underneath
Well I still feel everything
Crawl every time but you won’t see me
I’m hiding from me
All of the pain that feels you why you bleed
There’s time to breath
Breathing
Breathing in these things
Why does a heart start to bleed when it needs too much
Does it ever fade
Why do we love more than love holding onto it at all
It was a beautiful Spring day, blue skies and not a cloud in sight. Sun was bright in the Northern sky, glinting off tiny eggs lining soft Milkweed in the hedgerow. A kindly cow, stood watching. She had seen this magic many times before.
From the eggs little hatchlings emerged. Not birds, nor snakes but caterpillars. Hungry, they scattered over the leaves that had housed their homes and started to munch. They were voraciously hungry and intent on feeding empty bellies.
Apart from one. The little caterpillar started at the sight of the cow. The cow gave a low, reassuring ‘moo’. ‘Hello, youngster. Welcome to the world, my name is MayBelle’.
Shyly the caterpillar retreated under a leaf. Each day the cow would amble over and say ‘Hello’. The caterpillar grew to love the warm greetings from such a magnificent beast. The cow would gently lower her head and let the caterpillar crawl onto her soft neck. They would both go for a wander across Ten Acre field and down to the babbling brook. The cow would take a long drink of pure Spring water and the caterpillar would watch the silver and gold of darting fish.
‘Dearest MayBelle, can I feel the water like you do? Can I swim like the fishes too?’
‘Not yet, M’Dear. But one day you will.’
The days and nights were full of delight. And MayBelle showed the young caterpillar many things. She spoke of life and love, beginnings, endings, both the Goddess and God above, Mother Earth and Father Sky. For being a wise cow, she had sought teaching from many sources and was not afraid to ask questions. A gift she passed to the little caterpillar.
One day MayBelle wandered over to the clumps of Ragwort the little Caterpillar had made home. Only to see the cycle of life had moved on. The wheel of the year began to turn again and her friend had entered into a deep sleep, wrapped in a warm cocoon. She smiled, knowing she had taught her pupil well.
The long sleep ended and the little caterpillar emerged. Refreshed and energised from such a deep and nourishing rest. And there was MayBelle, waiting.
The sun felt so good and the little Caterpillar basked in the warmth of both the celestial orb and her friend’s love. A sparrow hawk took to the wing and riding on the warm air currents glided gracefully across an azure sky. ‘Oh how I wish I could fly! MayBelle, do you wish you could fly too?’ ‘Why, M’Dear, you can fly, just spread your beautiful wings and try! And as for me? Once you fly free, know my spirit will be with you and so I will fly too. ‘
The little caterpillar climbed on MayBelle’s soft face and the kindly cow wandered to the stream. ‘Look, M’Dear, what do you see? The things I taught you have come to be!’ In the glistening water, the little caterpillar caught sight of a beautiful butterfly, delicate wings fluttering in the breeze.
In awe she asked ‘Is that me?’ ‘Go fly! Fly high, fly low. There is much to know. I always told you M’Dear there is so much more than we can see, so much more that we can be…’
The Day is done, tired thoughts slowly fade to grey. Do you find comfort, as you lay down your weary head on the island of your bed? Drifting on the shifting sands of reality upon the shores of sleep. The Sandman will soon take you sailing into the void and blessed oblivion of the deep.
Catch the Moon beams as they come dancing in a playful game, glancing off the window panes, across the ceiling and upon the walls. They turn the darkness of your room into sacred, hallowed halls.
For in twilight hours and liminal space, nothing is as it truly seems. Do you want to walk into the forest of the night? I will take you through numinous mists and midnight rays of Light, onto the field of dreams.
Lady La Luna’s tendrils weave Her gossamer, silken strands, enticing you back to the Heavens above. Entranced by the music of the night, dancing across the stars, into the arms of the pure Light of Love.
The Lady heard the yearning of your Soul to be free, to be whole. There is so much more to see, so much more for you to be! Forget life’s silent screams, believe in Magick and know that you are innocent when you dream.
With the rising of the sun, the mysteries of night are done. Leaving fragrant fragments like blossom on the breeze and the whisper of the trees, beyond reason, beyond rhyme. Moments that breathe, in fragile memories of the Truth, we only find by stepping outside time.</p>
Eily Nash ~2020
It was such a pleasure introducing Chris and Randy to you dear Readers and I am excited they have agreed to regular guest appearances. Their collaboration is a poetic dance of romance, and brings much joy. I hope you enjoy the love! ❤️
Photograph courtesy of Randy #Chasingsunsets
Tell me the story
of forever..
of the way it began
introducing us
to this final chapter
speak to the how and why
to the dream, our reality
of lives to reconcile...
~cf
* * * * * * * * *
The reconciliation began
as a final exit
but the sun and moon had other plans
The stars aligned under a cloudless sky
So they chased every sunset-
danced in the light of a lover’s moon.
Now empty pages await the rest
of this happily ever after to be written...
~RW
Photography Courtesy of Randy
Our Poets are on Twitter, pop over and give them a follow!
The wild North wind howls, a hungry Wolf at the door seeking to feast on the souls of the lost and the lonely. Seek warmth from the Applewood burning in the hearth, let the flames warm the ice within your cold heart...Lest He creeps stealthily within, stealing you far away from the place the sweet wildflowers grow, to His frozen lair in a wild domain .
I am excited to share the debut anthology of poetry from Raymonde’ “Beautiful Knowing” is such a truly beautiful book, which with an Adept’s hand delicately covers difficult themes of pain, loss, loneliness and sadly abuse. With great delicacy and emotional intelligence each poem weaves a story, and as I read, I also deeply felt the words.
But there is so much more than walking into the deep forest of Darkness…
Raymondé (What a lovely name!) also offers hope as the poetry unfolds she embraces a longing for the return of the Light, for connection and love, penned as sensuously and as spiritual as the Sufi Love Poets.
I found this collection hugely inspiring, the Author has such a graceful way of unfolding her words, that as a reader, I was drawn in and entranced into a world of darkness, shadows and despair which ultimately was transmuted in the crucible of Light into a place of incredible beauty. Written from the Heart it touches the Soul.
Beautiful and evocative. A Collection to keep revisiting and to gift to others. Please visit the Amazon link below and see for yourselves, Dear Readers, the magic within…
Spellbound, I held him in my arms✨ summonded by magick, candles and charms✨ Illusions of distance and linear time✨dispelled by a bewitching rhyme✨that which I desire shall be mine✨My Beloved will come to me✨So mote it be.✨
Brittle Sunlight shining on a cold November day.
You try but words don’t come, nothing left to say…
walk away, walk away…🎶
The River of Life flows on leaving fading notes
Of a sad song hanging in the air…
walk away, walk away…🎶
Do not cry, Love's unkind, there is only heartache
If you should you turn around and stay…
walk away, walk away…🎶
Eily Nash (2021)
Did she fascinate, charm and beguile? Maybe a distraction for just a while. Did she fill your thoughts in your waking hours and seep into your sleep. Before you knew, were you in too deep? Did she really have that power? With her faraway eyes, she saw other worlds, far beyond the veil. Was she for real or were you lonely?
I loved him well, I loved him true Something he just could not do For to lay with me would be a sin I knew he longed to touch my skin Yet he kept me so far out of reach Scared his defences I may breach Passion’s flame burnt in his chest Lustful thoughts gave him no rest At last, of free will he came to me Torn, tormented by his own misery My beloved Mortal slipped into my bed Offering his body, I took his soul instead And down we went to the depths of hell For he had fallen for a Succubus spell.
Poetry is one of the sweetnesses of life, and it is my pleasure to share with you a sensuous poetic collaboration between two wonderful poets, and to offer a warm welcome to “Gossamer Threads” to Chris and Randy 💞
Lake Michigan courtesy of ~cf
I am your sea and you, my shore
My waves will always wash over you
just as sure as the sun rises and sets
All the granules of your sandcastle soul
collapse into my undertow..
I undo the pillars of your fortress
with each passing wave
Sand and salt water dance together
in an endless waltz leaving your thirsty shores quenched,
until the next wave engulfs your surface..
Drink me in and push me away
my waves are relentless,
as is your thirst for them, endless...
~RW
Lake Michigan courtesy of ~cf
You are my sea as
I am the shore that waits
for you to wash over me
from the depths of your
currents
you reach me in waves
that breach my barriers
the cool of your water,
craved as you fold over me,
white capped
feeling the force of each
wave's pull-back
in retreat, in succession, this
dance that keeps me restlessly
awaiting the next...
~cf
O’er, my Beloved’s thoughtless treat has caused me such distress. He has given given me a bucket full of manky stress 🙁
Dear Eily, what could make you so mad. Has your man been really bad??!😡
Well listen up, M’dears with eager ears…
‘Darling, I am going to gift you a Premier 24 hour Membership to the gym with me!’ Says he, a touch too gleefully.🏋️♀️🤼♀️🚴♀️🏊♀️
I trembled, I shook. Sweaty excercise, so not in my book!
‘Er, no! ‘ says I ‘that would make me cry. I am lush & lovely as I am. Don’t you appreciate my gorgeous assets, 40D … do you want to shrink me?? ‘
I saw the thoughts whirl in his head…As I invited him to snuggle up and watch my favourite movie in our king size bed.
‘Oh no my Love, what would you prefer instead?’
‘Beloved, I don’t want to throw my toys from my pram, but I’d rather like a shiny, Sparkly something. Nothing grand, a bracelet for my hand. I’m feeling a tiny luxury, maybe a little trinket from Tiffany’s!’ 💍💝💎
His face lit up in a big smile, ‘The 40D’s are here to stay, both yummy breakfast in bed and the Tiffany trinkets are on the way!!’
Alone in London, I stand by Tower Bridge. Old Father Thames hears my thoughts of you and how deeply I am falling. Wise is he, takes them rippling on the current down to the endless sea.
Somewhere far away in a Northern land, you are standing too, on your bridge of stone and steel beside a Castle Keep. Do I imagine that I hear you calling and feel you reaching through the ethers for my hand?
Day is fading and our City lights flicker into life. Do they hear the music of the night? And meet with moon beams upon the waters where both our ancient rivers flow? What stories do they share and what secrets do they know?
Perhaps they speak of Lovers hearts taking flight to meet upon the Bridge across forever. A special place, lost in time, where we come together. In the heat of the night, two rivers meet and our bodies entwine to dance upon the glory of the Tyne.
Two strangers met deep in the Greenwoods and both being lost decided to walk with each other for a while.
The rugged path diverged to the left and the right. A simple glance was all it took, a tacit agreement ~ it was time to part, as each had a different journey to undertake.
Perhaps further down the line their paths may merge again. Perhaps not.
The journey of the eternal Soul is never simple nor set in stone. That which we think we need/want/desire in our human form is seldom what Spirit requires.
They smiled and said farewell with a ‘Merry Meet and Merry Part.’
The Lords of Darkness and of Light sat down to dine, drink some wine, all on a moonless night. Up for discussion, the subject of Souls. It never grew old.
‘ Which are mine, who are thine?’
An age old theme arose again. They debated. Conclusion came, they agreed the same.
Humans were over rated. Their little lives need not be fated. Let them use Free Will, they will heal or harm, bring pleasure or inflict pain,cure or kill.
There is no celestial charm to cure the vagaries of men. Having thus concurred the gods refilled their goblets of nectar and wine once again.
Phantom in the window holding onto a locket Stranger to delirium keep that gun in your pocket Bullet holes never fade Bang Bang it goes
Gangsters clawing at my eyes doing cartwheels in the mud Doing cartwheels in the mud
One girl and thirteen stones her eyes glowed like the sun Wreaking from insomnia carrousel spinning around There’s an echoe in my closet Bang Bang it goes
Dancing in limbo a child singing a song Danger he’s nefarious Bullet holes shredding little wrag dolls Mothers hanging coffins Bang Bang it goes
Dark Angel who carried me to the edge of heaven, wrapped in your flaming wings of burning desire, you who cast me into the abyss of unrequited love. Exulting in bones broken, laying in unhallowed ground. Hear my lost soul wandering, weeping, through Hades Halls searching for you.
My latest anthology of Love Poetry is deliciously dark and Witch Lit 🖤 Hardback, Paperback and eBooks now available on Amazon Worldwide.
Silent Sentils stand around your Sacred Northern Mound, as Venus chases the Rising Sun across the sleeping night sky. And you and I, my Love? There is no reason. There is no rhyme as to why your hallowed ground is not mine, nor mine yours. Perhaps you will never find the place the West Wind blows, or the Magic the Goddess bestows from Her Southern Tor…
Ary Scheffer~”The Ghosts of Paolo and Francesca Appear to Dante and Virgil” ~Taken at the Wallace Collection
“I knew these people…once…It was a long time ago…”
She looked like she needed to talk, some fragmented ghost of a memory rattling around the caverns of her mind seeking to find a voice. So I pulled up a chair and sat down beside her and prepared to listen. After all, it is what I do. Listen. I listen a lot. People tell me things, always have. Seems to come from nowhere, the torrent of words, the secrets and the shames. I never judge. That is for the Man above not me.
A waiter came over. Smartly dressed with slicked back black hair, just a hint of grey kissing his temples and a smile that reached his rich brown eyes. I noted he was deferential without being subservient, in a very European way. I liked him and resolved to leave him a good tip. I saw he liked her, a lot. Did she like him? It was difficult to tell. There was a story hiding behind his smile, but that would be for another time. Right now was her time. She had something to say and I had a strong intuition I needed to hear it.
I ordered a pot of English Breakfast Tea, toast and marmalade, “Make that for two, please,” I glanced at her and she nodded her approval at him.
“Très bon,” he rewarded us both with a smile, hiding just a soupçon of merriment. This man did not take life too seriously at all. He really was very handsome and as he walked away a delicious hint of citrus and spice lingered in the air.
“Mmm,” I sniffed appreciatively “Do I detect patchouli and sandalwood?”
“Indeed you do. Top notes and base notes. Quite enticing, isn’t it? Clive Christian 1872,” she replied with authority and I wondered if she was the one who had gifted him a very fine bottle of cologne.
We sat in comfortable companionship in the beautiful glass roofed Courtyard. Soft pink stucco walls wrapped the restaurant with the elegance of a bygone age. She asked me if this was my first visit to the Wallace Collection. I smiled and told her I often came here to Hertford House and take yet another admiring stroll through the sumptuous rooms of the museum, admiring the works of fine art, especially paintings depicting angels. I told her my Mother had first brought me here as a little girl.
A.-Victor Fontaine (fl. 1837-1884) Ganet the Elder (fl. 1871 – 1883) “Love Triumphant” ~Taken at the Wallace Collection
“Mummy are Angels just make believe or are they really real like the elves with their black patent shoes with big silver buckles and fairies with their gossamer wings in my big picture book?” I had made earnest enquiries.
“Indeed they are Evie,” Mummy had replied, “Would you like to see the lovely paintings of the Angels in Hertford House? We shall look at suits of armour and you can see for yourself knights who protected princesses were very real too! We shall have tea and toast and yummy jam when we finish. ”
My Mother always had a special way of making the most magical things sound a natural part of everyday life. I missed her and gazing at my elegant companion momentarily wondered would Mummy have looked just like her if the sickness had not came and took her away much too soon. Would we be sitting here now recalling my delight at the moment I had gazed on the beautiful paintings of Lords and Ladies of long ago. Entranced by the many treasures housed in the Wallace Collection, I had moved from one sumptuous and ornate gallery to the next, each filled with armour, fine porcelain, ornate snuffboxes and gorgeous fireplaces and rococo chandeliers. And I had seen the Angels. And I had believed.
I saw I was under close scrutiny, “I like it here,” I told her, “ I like it a lot. It’s been a long love affair,” I said.
Velázquez’s black veiled beauty “The Lady with a Fan” ~Taken at the Wallace Collection
She smiled and told me she loved it too, had been visiting the imposing Georgian house, standing proudly on London’s Manchester Square, for as long as she could remember. She said that she loved the Gainsborough’s and Fragonard’s. She smiled in appreciation as she divulged her favourite painting and said she found Scheffer’s “The Ghosts of Paolo and Francesca Appear to Dante and Virgil” hauntingly beautiful. She said it made her cry. She told me she hugely admired the serenity of Velázquez’s black veiled beauty “The Lady with a Fan” and shared she was intrigued by sculptures depicting veiled beauties. She wondered if Raffaele Monti’s emotive statuette really depicted a Circassian slave? Perhaps, she postulated, she was truly free and her beautiful veiled countenance was an allegory for her seeing ‘beyond the veil’ into numinous realms. She said her name was Evelyn and she had a town house close by in Crawford Street, she was a Writer and she was glad of my company. A lot of words as one would expect, but not what she really needed to say.
I shivered involuntarily. Crawford Street was a place I knew well, having grown up in an elegant stucco fronted Georgian house. In different circumstances I would be living there now, but for the premature loss of my darling Mother. That house held many happy memories and I had vowed one day to return, that it would be my home again. Meeting Evelyn was proving to be more than a touch synchronistic.
Raffaele Monti~”Circassian Slave” ~Taken at the Wallace Collection
Our tea and toast arrived.
“Those people…?” I tried to engage her to take my mind away from wandering down dark avenues from the past.
I poured tea, fragrant with freshly pressed leaves, from a pewter pot into our cups and she added the milk and sugar. The toast was good. I ladled on rich yellow butter and a generous helping of deliciously bitter marmalade and as I savoured the flavours I waited for her to speak. You can have an intuition on what they may say, sometimes hear the words before they actually speak them. Then when they do speak, the emotions come in, sometimes softly flowing, sometimes a tidal wave. And I have it all hitting me, sometimes it’s hard to remain inscrutable, to just listen. But it is about them, not me, so they never know I have eyes that look into their distant pasts and possible futures, their right here, right now’s or just how much I know…
She was different. Looking at me quizzically with intelligent eyes, and with a start I realised she was reading me reading her. A feint smile. I winked at her, knowingly. We laughed conspiratorially.
Sunlight, delicately streaming through the glass roof caught her hair. Cool blonde with strands of silver pulled off her face by a black velvet band. A woman of a certain age, but what that age was I would be hard pressed to say. Quietly understated elegance. She wore pearl earrings. Beautiful pearls, soft as moonlight. I admired them.
“Indeed yes, they are beautiful. Tears from the moon.” Her eyes misted. I reached over and covered her hand with mine. A simple gesture, speaks more eloquently and deeply than words ever can. She had long slim fingers tipped with manicured nails varnished the colour of her pale pink pearls. Her hand was surprisingly cold.
“Those people…” I encouraged, knowing the earrings held the key to her story, as did love. Was it lost, unrequited, had her heart been broken or did she carry the heavy weight of human frailty having inflicted pain and hurt on another? I munched my toast waiting for her to reply. The toast here is really very good. My reward for patience just a flicker behind her grey eyes, a wry smile and the deafening sound of silence. Perhaps a guilty conscience lay behind her insouciance? I truly hoped not.
Suddenly I had a very strong desire to know and held her gaze searchingly. I saw the relief in her face as the waiter returned with a fresh pot of tea and she took the opportunity to slip her hand away from mine, the shutters were down. The moment had passed. I got she was uncomfortable with my touch, the warmth of another human reaching out to her. I wasn’t sure if she would tell me her story, or keep her secrets to be shared only with the ghost living in the caverns of her mind. With a start, I realised I could not read her, looking into her eyes all I saw was myself looking back, my pale pink pearls catching rainbows of light as the sun danced through the atrium.
She may well have a lifetime of stories to tell, but I was going to have to live them before Evelyn shared our secrets with me, Evie…
My favourite vocal Artist, the sexy and sultry Chanteuse, Penny from Penny’s Scar is also an accomplished poet. I am privileged she has let Edendene Books host her work. Enjoy 🌹🖤
It is my absolute pleasure to welcome back to EdenDene Books one of my favourite Artists, the beautiful and talented Penny from Penny’s Scar. Her voice transports me to a special place, her vocals are sultry, soft, sexy and lush.Her songs, deep, meaningful, mysterious and touch both heart and soul. Listen for yourself and hear and feel the magic that is Penny’s Scar.
I am so happy to share a beautiful poem from my friend and amazingly talented singer, Penny from Penny’s Scar.
Find my ethereal Chanteuse and Poet on Twitter @pennys_scar
Enjoy listening to her music for free. Her songs are mysterious, sensual and evocative and are on Soundclick 💕 Click the link and be transported to a magical place ✨