Opal Reflections
Perspectives through Prose, Poetry and Photography
Inextinguishable
“She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen
the stars,” yet there above the cloudy cover
shining still; bright, clear and sparkling, as she’d been
(before she’d yielded all to be another).Forever, hands and hearts, began to smother
deep-most yearnings, (who might she become?)
Instead, she caved to cleave his flashy, colored
cloak; her white flag high amast, he’d won.Her soul abhorred the light, no glimmer there
(as once there was, of happy younger days,
When she was full of love and free of care),
yet straining to rekindle passion’s blaze.His blank, black eyes screamed silently: “Be gone!”
Pure light engulfs her wounded soul; leads home.
Written in response to Speakeasy #178, using the opening line: “She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen the stars” and making reference to the video prompt “No Light, No Light” by Florence and The Machine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HGH-4jQZRcc).
Pastorale (Weekly Photo Challenge: Adventure!)
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It was a sun-soaked, May afternoon, as we sped from Avignon to Paris, and were treated to seemingly, unending views of verdant pastures, whizzing by like freeze frames from the window of our TGV.
I suspect, that to many of our fellow travelers, the expansive vistas and intense colors soon became repetitive and uninspiring; but to this ‘poet-behind-a-camera-lens’, each scene seemed more lovely than the last, and an imagined backdrop of a fantastic adventure in rural France.
This frame, inspired me to ponder ‘l’auto noir’, motoring languorously on an otherwise, deserted country road, between fields of goldenrod, spread out like plush carpet, and tree-scaped, verdant hillsides. Where was it going! Where had it been? Who were the occupants? They could be young lovers, a family of three, or a recently retired couple (like us), visiting La Belle France on holiday.
I envisioned a bottle of ‘vin rouge’, a chunk of goat cheese, and a crispy baguette, nestled together in a wicker basket on the rear seat, aside a carefully-folded woven Provençal fabric, destined to become a picnic blanket.
This is only one scene of the hundreds that I captured on that journey, each of which could be inspiration for a short story or longer work of fiction. My preference, though, would be to return and become the protagonists of an adventure of our own, perhaps on that very road as we meander through the pastoral countryside, through little towns, on roads, dotted with farm stands and family vineyards. Perhaps, next time!
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The WordPress Weekly photo Challenge offered this compelling theme: “Adventure!”
“Whether your own or someone else’s, literal or figurative, take us on a photographic adventure.
This week, share a photo that says “adventure.” It could be an image of someone setting off on an epic journey, a photo you took on an adventure of your own, or something more metaphoric that represents a personal or psychological adventure. We’re excited to see where you’ll take us.”
Starburst dialogue (weekly Photo Challenge)
“Dialogue is an engaging conversational exchange.
When it comes to photography, dialogue can be perceived as a consensual interaction between two images.
Placed next to each other, each photograph opens up to meanings that weren’t there when viewed alone.
Each composition reveals the photographer’s specific sensitivity to certain content or visual elements. The WordPress Weekly photo Challenge offered this compelling theme.
I chose these photographs to illustrate the uncanny similarity between a lovely flower petal and a fireworks burst; particularly in the geometric arrangement of the actual spokes of the pattern. Both were taken in mid-August at the Polynesian Village (the first during a sunrise excursion, and the second during the “Wishes” fireworks extravaganza over the skies of the Magic Kingdom) and though obviously different, they are texturally consensual; and to this observer, both are evocative of a place where dreams come true.
Irrepressible (Photo Friday: warmth)
*****
New dawn sunbeams shine,
Peaking through ‘tween parting palms,
Last days of summer.*****
Bonne Anniversaire
Side by side for life,
Decades of “Goodnight!, Sweet dreams!”
“Bonne Anniversaire!”
Absence
The shore recedes from view, seems all is calm,
But rumbling rifts unseen, love can’t sustain,
He stands alone ‘neath leaning, whispering palms,
Muted, baffled, passions yet untamed.No stutter in his step, yet fears unnamed,
Cannot suppress the longing in his soul,
He strode away, pretending, unashamed,
He chose to set her free, unleash his hold.With silent words, a lover’s language, cold
that chilled him to the bone; to comprehend
the cliff they faced (her absence), could unfold
A rickety shell that might their cart upend.She yearned to spread her wings – exciting flights,
He’d wait…he had already found the heights.
Written for The Sunday Whirl, Wordle #175:
Sibling Musings
Everything hurt! Yet there, beneath the sand,
A calming sense of clammy warmth filled me,
My brother piled it on, with scoop-filled hands,
And devilish and unrelenting glee.Though buried deep, I knew how effortlessly,
With burst of will and strength I could arise,
But choosing, in its stead, to simply be,
Enjoy the moment, Big Bro by my side.I wondered how he was before I cried
(He, the only child, their firstborn son),
that noisy day of birth, when I arrived
to share their fond attentions; My Act One.He’s always been there, sleeping or at play,
My brother made me who I am today.
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Written for Speakeasy 176, using “everything hurt” as the opening line, and making reference to the short film: Brother, an award winning animated film by Sari Rodrig.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH9HoOoTeCg)
Acceptance
Sitting on the dock of ‘Poly’ Bay,
Scanning left to right and back again,
Beaches where my grandsons freely play,
Deep blue wavelets rippling on lagoon.Our fantasy vacation-land, like ‘Troon’,
Is ever in our mind’s eye, winter long,
When summer comes around, it’s none too soon,
But on this trip we sing a different song.Our treasured ‘Xanadu’ has undergone
some changes; some for good, and some not so,
Since this must be, we’ll cope, recall the throng
of years and days and soirées long ago.Still, as I sit and ponder pages past,
I’m thankful, blessed, with memories that last.
Written for the Light and Shade challenge, using words “This must be” from the prompted photo, as inspiration.
Our family vacation spot, The Polynesian Village – now the Polynesian Resort – in Walt Disney World, has been witness to our family’s growth, since our children were toddlers, to our return with them and their children.
Since 1979, we have stayed in the same ‘long house’ that we still enjoy today. It is now called Hawaii, and is the Concierge building ‘on location’. Our favorite part of being in WDW has never been the parks and rides but rather just being at the ‘Poly’.
With the announcement of construction of new Vacation Club Villas, directly in front of our long house, we knew that change was inevitable. Last week we saw first hand the ‘progress’. This panoramic photo, taken from the boat launch dock, was cause for reflection.
This place will remain our favorite place to be, despite the changes, but this week’s prompt tugged on my heartstrings a bit…this must be.
In the spirit of thankfulness and acceptance we treasure all that has been and look forward to making new memories in years to come.
Lighthouse in the Mist, Cape May, NJ
Bandit
Festive View from the Pub, Peddler’s Village – Lahaska, PA.
Home Sweet Home
Opal Reflections 