It’s the fifth Tuesday of the month! #ShareYourDay is a way to get to know each other better. Take a photo and write a syllabic poem about your day. Don’t think on it too hard. Make it fun. The photo does not need to be a selfie. If you don’t have access to a camera, find an image on Pixabay.com (please add the credits) that best describes your .
I am going to the wedding of my niece next week and I have spent most of today sorting out what to wear…. I have used two photos, I hope that is okay.
I chose to write a The Butterfly Cinquain is an unrhymed, nine-line syllabic poem with 2-4-6-8-2-8-6-4-2 syllables per line.
Planning What shall I wear Green or lilac , choices. Both have hints of Mother Gaia Which one Which to choose I am not quite sure Spring or Autumn colour Finally I Decide
For visually challenged writers, the image shows a tiny bird hiding in a plant pot.
This week Gail and Morgarna return to the new house and they all learn happy lessons in humanity….well in Morgarna’s case for now!
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Morgarna and Gail were sitting on the Castle wall drinking mead , “What is that smell Morgarna” “It’s the smell of the castle, body odour, urine,and animal dun all human life! “ Just then the Anomaly appeared, “Right Gail time to jump , I have had a blast” As they both jumped Gail could be heard saying ” So has my nose , it’s honks enough here to cure blocked sinuses! “
Merlin was in the kitchen making coffee when he heard Morgarna and Gail as they landed in the lab. “Coffee is on the brew” he shouted. “Oh! I could murder a cup” Gail shouted, “can I have it in the bath, this new body of mine is stinking..and I need to change my clothes, I’ve not done that for years” “Good job for you that there is more one bathroom here there was only one at the old place…as a treat you can use the big one in my room. Just this once mind and you can use any of my potions they are all safe …ish” Morgarna ended on a grin. Gail didn’t need telling twice she was off and running up the stairs with the mug of coffee Merlin had handed her.
Morgarna had her bath and washed her hair reluctantly, how strange she thought how much she missed those dark and dirty days of cold draughty castles ….
“That was uncharacteristicly kind of you to let Gail use your bathroom and potions…are you sure they’re safe babes? ” Merlin asked as Morgarna joined him in the sunny living room…”How did she do” Morgarna lit a cigarette and poured herself a large Shiraz and relaxed. “She was amazing we met her David, she and he thrashed out the whole story he didn’t know all of it. She helped him by showing she was at peace now, and he told her about his life with May. We even met one of the grandchildren, well I did.” Morgarna paused to take a sip of her wine. ” Gail convinced Dave that suicide was not the answer and if he’d killed himself and one of his family had found him it would of been as painful as what had happened to him.” “So it went well then ?” Merlin asked. “Yup Merls it did and with a little help from me” she waved her hand, ” I think everyone is at peace with the past. Then I took Gail back to our time where she had a good time…even had some fun with Garth, you know the Blacksmith..” Morgarna winked. Merlin’s face lit up, “Indeed I do..and that means Gail’s body works well…good for her …good old Garth… perhaps she can learn there’s good in life….even if it’s post mortem “ Morgarna nearly choked on her Shiraz , “Bloody hell Merls are we becoming sensitive…dare I say more human….” They both erupted into laughter.
Fledgeling – Image by KL Caley
Outside in the garden Gail was enjoying the warmth of the sun, clean clothes and a really welcome feeling of piece. She heard Morgarna and Merlin laughing and she felt really happy…. Almost as happy as she was on her seventeenth birthday, she put her hand to her neck and held the locket. Just then she heard a little tweeting and flutter of wings. Following the sound she found a tiny bird hiding in a plant pot. “Hello little one’ she said. “Don’t be afraid, have you lost your way? I know how that feels but with help from kind people you can get back, well almost to where you should be. ” She bent down and looked at the little chap who seemed to be listening to her every word she was saying. Gail sat by the flower pot chatting to the fledgling until the light began to fade . Just when Gail began to think she’d have to sit here all night the little chap came out of the flowerpot in answer to a call from the tree opposite.. his mother was calling him in to roost…. After his second attempt he took off and disappeared with his mum. Gail sat there and felt tears on her cheeks. Oh! tears she thought for the second time that week after years of none…these though we’re tears of joy.
“Gail, Gail where are you? ” Morgarna was calling from the kitchen door. “Merlin wants to take us out for dinner and he’s paying you can choose where we are eating! “ Gail took a deep breath wiped her heavily made up eyes and smiled! “Steak ” she shouted, “I fancy steak” as she ran back to the house like a fledgling to her parents !
This week August 28, 2022 , the prompt for Jim Adam’s Song Lyric Sunday has been suggested by Greg’s Blog : Better with Age: Failed or Overlooked Songs that Eventually Became Fan Favorites .
So the first so first song that springs to mind is Kate Bush’s (Deal with God ) Running up that Hill. Which was originally released in 1985 from her fifth Album Hounds of love. The single reached number three.
In 2022, “Running Up That Hill” received renewed attention when it was prominently featured in the fourth season of the Netflix series Stranger Things. Its appearance led to the song’s resurgence on charts around the world, reaching the top three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the charts in eight countries, including the United Kingdom for three consecutive weeks, Ireland for seven consecutive weeks and Australia for nine non-consecutive weeks. All the information you need is on Wikipedia
Thus taking thirty seven years to reach number one and be the massive hit it is. I have featured all this before. I cry every time I hear this song because it means so much to me…its helped me more than once for reasons I don’t care to share. Such a great song here it is again with Lyrics.
Ralph McTell – Streets Of London (1968-1974)
In 1968 I had met hubby, by 1974 I was married, had our first and was expecting our second. This song is just amazing. Hubby’s uncle was a Vicar and a friend of Ralph McTell he had a fund raiser at his church and Ralph McTell agreed to perform there, we were lucky enough to go. It was magical listening to this great performance in a small Church. A never forgotten experience. This another song that always makes me cry.
Streets of London” is a song by Ralph McTell, who first recorded it for his 1969 album Spiral Staircase. It was not released in the United Kingdom as a single until 1974. McTell himself noted that there were 212 known recorded versions of the song. The song was re-released, on 4 December 2017, featuring McTell with Annie Lennox as a charity single for CRISIS, the Homelessness Charity. Roger Whittaker also recorded a well received version in 1971.
The song was inspired by McTell’s experiences busking and hitchhiking throughout Europe, especially in Paris and the individual stories are taken from Parisians. McTell was originally going to call the song “Streets of Paris”— but eventually London was chosen, because he realised he was singing about London; also, there was another song called “The Poor People of Paris“.
McTell’s song contrasts the common problems of everyday people with those of the homeless, lonely, elderly, ignored and forgotten members of society. In an interview on Radio 5 with Danny Baker on 16 July 2016, McTell said that the market he referred to in the song was Surrey Street Market in Croydon.
“Layla” is a song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, originally recorded by Derek and the Dominos, as the thirteenth track from their only studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970). Its contrasting movements were composed separately by Clapton and Gordon. The piano part has also been controversially credited to Rita Coolidge, Gordon’s girlfriend at the time.
The song was inspired by a love story that originated in 7th-century Arabia and later formed the basis of The Story of Layla and Majnun by the 12th-century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, a copy of which Ian Dallas had given to Clapton. The book moved Clapton profoundly, because it was the tale of a young man who fell hopelessly in love with a beautiful young girl, went crazy and so could not marry her. The song was further inspired by Clapton’s secret love for Pattie Boyd, the wife of his friend and fellow musician George Harrison. After Harrison and Boyd divorced, Clapton and Boyd eventually married.
“Layla” has since its release experienced great critical and popular acclaim, and is often hailed as being among the greatest rock songs of all time. Two versions have achieved chart success, the first in 1972 and the second (without the piano coda) 20 years later as an acoustic Unplugged performance by Clapton. In 2004, “Layla” was ranked number 27 on Rolling Stone‘s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time“, and the acoustic version won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song..
Hi Saturday again and time for LindaGHill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday this week Linda’s email said: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “board/bored.” Use one, or use them both for bonus points. Enjoy!.
image from Pixabay
Are you bored? the billboard said There’s time for that when you’re dead? Nothing to do? The billboard asked Get up and find yourself a task Grab a board and catch a wave or snow slope Fly a plane, climb on board, don’t give up hope. Be a pirate make someone walk the plank Hit the high board, or plan a prank. Make a space station out of cardboard. Dig for treasures, follow the map to find the hoad. No get a life, get on board have some fun don’t be bored!
It’s time for Throwback Thursday again , Lauren and Maggie’s brainchild . This week it’s Lauren’s turn and she said. “While most of us grew up with school clothes and play clothes, there were occasionally those special clothes, aka glad rags. Clothes can bring up strong memories and emotions.”
Strangly I don’t remember much about dressing up for special occasions….I know I was supposed to have been bridesmaid for my eldest sister.. unfortunately I had scarlett fever and was in bed on the day and missed my bridesmaid’s debute.
I always had a new out fit for Christmas, Easter and my birthday often made by my sister Frankie. She was always an accomplished needlewoman and had an eye for style. Below one of my clever sister’s creations, a grey A line dress with bell sleeves, a red tartan bib and red piped around the bell sleeves. I was nine or ten.
I don’t remember funerals when I was younger but I must of attended a few. I sure mum would of had us all looking smart. We definitely would of all had a bath and had our hair washed the night before.
I have been a bridesmade many times in the family…all shades of pastel which never suited me! The dresses were usually satin .
The above photos are just two that I own there were at least another four but I don’t have them! The colour photo was Nov 1966 I was thirteen , black and white one was 1969 the dresses and head scafs were lilac edged with white lace, I was the one in the middle 💜💜 they all involved a trip to the hairdresser’s!
We didn’t have proms in my day and anyway I left school at fifteen and went into an apprenticeship as a window dresser, following Frankie into the fashion trade, she was a designer. But I do have a picture of me at about sixteen at the first party I went to with hubby. It was a long pasely print, high neck , rouched bodice legomtton sleeves and it was pink and blue , I loved that dress. The dog on my lap was my soon to be sister in law’s mother’s dog!
Oops I am late again …it’s all Morgarna’s fault but better late than ever!
This week’s episode comes with a warning the story contains a line on drugs and susicde.
Curtain – Image by KL Caley
For visually challenged writers, the image shows a crumbling stone curtain wall stretching as far as the edge of the photo.
As they entered the chapel Gail shivered.. “what was that” she asked looking at Morgarna who laughed and said “honestly your asking me? …. Merlin built a tad more into your bracelet than he has already told you. We didn’t actually expect you to travel just yet… But, hey you’ll cope !” Morgarna paused to stubb out her cigarette and then continued, “you have now got sensory feelings, you can be seen and you can eat, drink and sleep where ever you are “ “You mean not just in the house like before…” “yes” smiled Morgarna” it might take a little getting used to but you’ll be fine” Morgarna reached into her bag and pulled out a file flicking through quickly she said to Gail ….. “We are here to stop a suicide…. Oh!… Gail I am sorry … You were a suicide …” Gail’s eyes filled with tears ..”yes I was and I really regret it I missed so much…. Do you think I can help? “ “Yes indeed I do who better than someone who has been there and done that “ The sourceress and the ghost walk up the short aisle, Gail shivered again “what’s the problem ” Morgarna asked . ” I don’t know ” Gail replied ” it’s years since I have been in a Church and it’s all so strange being free to travel and have feelings …just not used to it I suppose”.
Morgarna was sitting on the wall across from the chapel , as she looked around her she recognised it a curtain wall, and she smiled at the fact that the chapel was outside the wall which would of put it outside the castle that would of once stood here. Obviously a castle of my time when my powers were thought more of then the new Christianity? My days do I miss them? …. As Morgarna sat in the early evening having a cigarette and crafty Bacardi and coke from her flask she heard a car pull up on the road near by. Looking across she saw it was a classic Ford Anglia, obviously a loved old car taken out on high days and holidays. A man got out and crossed the field, slowly, towards her. He saw Margarna who waved and smiled. He came and sat next to her. Morgarna looked at him, he was in his early eighties she guessed and was obviously a handsome man in his time… though he had an air of sadness about him … she also felt this person had, had a full life. “Hello young lady what are you doing here on your own” Morgana smiled, laughing inside that this mere mortal thought she was a young lady….she was neither. ” Hi, I am not on my own, my friend is in the chapel I just came out to have a cigarette and a drink and watch the sunset” “I am heading into the chapel right now would you care to join me” he asked. “I would indeed” she replied jumping up. ” I am Morgarna and you are? “ A slight twinkle touched the man’s eyes and he smiled , “Well lady Morgarna you have made me smile for the first time in a while, may I introduce myself my name is Dave . Can I take your arm I left my walking stick in the car… I don’t think I will be needing it again!” Morgarna and Dave left the wall and went into the chapel together.
Entering the chapel for a second time that day Morgarna was surprised to see that Gail had found Candles and had placed them around the chapel giving the place a cosy aura. “Gail I met someone outside, come and say hi “ Gail appeared from a small cupboard looking a little dusty but smiling, ” I love it here it’s so calming once you get used to the quiet…no traffic..” She stopped dead and blinked. “Dave!” David looked at Gail and went as white as a sheet, Morgarna grabbed his arm and got him to a pew before he fell.
“Do you two know each other?” Morgana asked as she waved her hand behind her back producing a tray of three mugs of strong sweet tea and some sandwiches! Dave was too distracted to wonder where they had come from and gratefully accepted a steaming mug. Gail was the first to answer … “This is Dave my boyfriend, well he was ..he was my life” David reached out and touched Gail’s arm then jumped back shocked to find she was actually there! He then spoke, “Gail how can it really be you I saw you last in the police mortuary? It can’t be you! Is this a cruel trick….what’s going on and today of all days ….no! ” Morgarna could tell David was really stressed out by all this. Again she waived her hand and he stopped speaking and started breathing. Gail looked shocked, “You came to see me at the mortuary…” “Yes the police asked me to identify you, you had my name and phone number in your locket. Gail touched her neck, “my locket I really miss that , you gave it to me on my seventh birthday, I kept your name and phone number in there all the time…even after you left me. ” She reached out and touched his face … “Have you lived well Dave? Did you forget me quickly” Morgarna slowly walked down the aisle and out of the chapel leaving Gail and David to talk.
Morgarna felt drawn to the curtain wall each step closer to it she took she could feel history and ghosts of the past. She climbed up to the top of curtain wall and to her delight she saw life as she remembered it, the servents, the folk who lived within the castle walls, the traders, hawkers, blacksmiths the animals…the mud the dirt the smell…she loved it. Just then she heard voices as two soldiers from the watch came up to her, “Lady Morgarna what are you doing up here is there anything amiss?” Morgarna smiled at them both, ” No nothing wrong, I was just enjoying being home and the sights, sounds and smells of my world… I miss them so much! “ The two soldiers exchanged glances ..”but you haven’t missed them you’ve not been away.” Morgarna sighted …no not yet ..not yet” “Well mi’lady if all is well we are just off for supper “ ‘Off you go lads I’ll keep watch for you I love the night air up here. ” Morgana spent an hour watching the surrounding countryside from her vantage point, listening to the sounds of her beloved castle gently slowing down for the night …all was gentle …all was well … perhaps she could stay a while. Just then she saw three horse riders approaching ….it was herself, Merlin and Morgause and as ever they were laughing and bickering . Time for me to go she supposed…. She spent a few more moments watching herself and her loved ones , in simpler times …harder, dirtier but simpler , then she jumped from the wall and landed back in 2023 opposite the chapel.
In the chapel Gail and and David were still talking, though now they were actually relaxed in each others company. As Morgarna came in David beckoned her over… “Come lady Morgarna …. according to Gail you really are a lady and much, much more….come and sit with us and we’ll tell you what’s been happening while you disappeared! “ Morgarna joined them and lit a cigarette, she offered them to Gail …Dave refused he’d give up years ago. Gail picked up the story. “I met Dave when I was sixteen, we were so in love… He gave me a beautiful locket for my seventeenth birthday. Dave was in a group and I went everywhere with them , I was one of the crew I made all their stage gear…” “She was handy with a needle in those days a great seamstress …but that was before.” David went quiet and his eyes went dark. Gail took a deep breath then continued. ” I was really happy my parents were not best pleasd because I dropped out of school and left home. Anyway we toured all over and even went to the US, Canada, Japan , Australia and New Zealand. It was fun and we had the best four years of our lives….” David looked sad ” until we didn’t ” he said . Gail’s eyes filled with tears , David wiped one away…” I can’t believe this, real tears” ” Yes real tears I ruined my life and affected everyone else’s through my stupidity. See it was hard work traveling, sewing, hotels, gigs, festivals and then the partying …I partied hard , one night one of the roadies gave me a little something to keep me going…… Soon I couldn’t do without it …. eventually Dave noticed , the whole grouped noticed I was useless… Dave did his best but I was stubborn, he sent me off to rehab but I just wouldn’t try… I ran away time and time again…. Eventually I ended up on the streets , real riches to rags. Then I died one night in a filthy squat, I had, had enough I took as much stuff as I could find lying around the squat and drank all the alcohol I could find. I was found a few days later laying in my own vomit a perfect meal for the rats. ” Gail looked so sad that Morgarna reached out and touched her . David took up the story. ” She was a real mess, heart breaking, they found her locket around her neck and my name and number. I was in Scotland with the group at the time so I caught the night sleeper down to identify her… .. I never forgot how she looked … Thank goodness I have seen you now as you are. “ Morgarna asked “why are you here David, why today.” David looked at Gail, “My beautiful wife died this day last year which just happens to be the day all those years ago that I had to identify Gail It just got too much for me I decided to come here and take some pills then lock myself in my beloved old car and slip away. “ “Surely you’re leaving family behind” said Morgarna. “Yes three sons, and two daughters and plenty of grandchildren but I just can’t sleep the nightmare of seeing Gail in that state l all gaunt and rat eaten , they returned after May died. I just want peace. Gail looked so shocked, “You can’t do that Dave , you be leaving a bad lasting image to your child that’s so wrong Dave” “Your right Gail I have changed my mind I shall be strong and carry on.” Gail hugged him , “I do love you Dave and I am so glad you recovered from my suicide and had a good life. “ Just then there was a commotion at the doorway… “Granddad where have you been we’ve been worried sick , we saw you old car was gone from the garage and you’ve been gone for 24hrs… “ Dave spun round ,”Ryan how did you find me..” ” Guessed you’d be here this was Grandma’s favourite place, I saw your car from the road and boy what a relief your safe and okay. ” With that Ryan threw his arms around Dave. “Thank God you’re okay Granddad I thought you’d done something stupid.” Then he noticed Morgarna , Gail had pressed the button on her bracelet and disappeared. “Oh! Who are you?” Ryan asked. David smiled and replied “this is Morgarna she has been taken good care of me”
Later Morgana waved Ryan and his granddad off in the old but immaculate Ford Anglia, followed by Ryan’s girlfriend driving her Ford Fiesta, which Ryan had arrived in! As they drove off Morgarna waved goodbye and a huge weight lifted off of David’s shoulders, he forgot the nightmares he’d been having remembering only good memories of Gail and happy days with May. “You can show yourself now Gail they’ve gone. I have eased his mind and he will think meeting you was just a dream. “ Gail smiled thank you Morgarna I feel so much better too . Look” she said reappearing and holding out her hand , “Dave has given me back my locket isn’t it beautiful. “ “Yes indeed it is let me help you put it on” replied Morgarna. ” Did you get to say a proper goodbye to David” Gail smiled again… “I did and he told me that when he dies he and May will visit to see if I am ready to cross!”….? Right said Morgarna do fancy a quick visit to an Arthurian Castle? Come on last one to the wall buys the meade for the night .
Bullies cower, smaller nations by oppression. Raging in, all barrels blasting, no mercy, proving evil garners evil. Yet the oppressed stood strong and for freedom. Strength in adversity.
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