With firmly shut eyes and a flick of her wrist, the incantation rolled easily off the tip of her tongue.
And as she spoke those gracious words, a magical menagerie of spinning sparks flickered to life in pulsating dances radiating their resplendence for all the world to see.
It was an unforgettable spectacle worthy of wonder which, would ultimately change the course of time.
She knew she was getting closer as the crashing of the waves could be heard just ahead. And with each thunderous roar, she felt the beckoning vibrations welcoming her home. Those undulating arms grew her anticipation, each surge increasing her desire for all she had missed. And as the last golden mound appeared, her excitement could hardly be contained. For she knew in just a few more moments she’d be dipping her eager toes in those wonderful frothy tides. One last hurdle was all it took, and then a sigh and gasp broke free. It was even more beautiful than she’d remembered, and a sea of gleaming diamonds met her wondrous gaze. The lolly she’d been enjoying suddenly fell forgotten. The shiny morsel deeply embedded in the powdery sand. The jaw-dropping scene left her limp and bedazzled. The setting much too impressive for any other cares.
I remember the way the branches curled towards me that day, the way they swayed to and fro. It was something beautifully unexpected, a miracle of nature, a divine curiosity. And I remember standing there in wide-eyed awe, losing myself to the sheer loveliness, lost in a state of childlike wonder. Chills crept down my spine in delightful little bits, and goosebumps erupted as a plethora of tingling sensations washed over me from head to toe. But the thrill wasn’t meant to last, and after one breathless sigh I blinked, and the exquisite array vanished. That was when the heaviness began to gather at my feet, and an unforeseen darkness approached from a place I’d never been. As the winds altered their direction, everything changed. And the wondrous splendor of that unforgettable day is still nowhere to be found.
There she was, umbrella in hand, floating down towards the edge of a gentle stream. At times she’d been like a whirling dervish, full of boundless energy and chaotic vigor. And yet, at the same time, there were other occasions where the current would carry her over long, tranquil airstreams.
She’d glide along over the endless fields, absorbing the grandeur of the picturesque valleys, which all looked more like patchwork quilts than anything else. Then suddenly, she’d hit an air pocket and be frolicking away again, like a frenzied feather on an urgent mission.
Once touching down, she gasped, as crisp waters from a melodious little brook jarred her breezy state of mind. Now, wide awake, she looked down at the icy waters lapping at her bare feet and wondered how she’d come to find herself in such a fantastic place.
*This brief reflection is based on a dream I had last year. It was the kind of dream that one never wants to wake from. The kind that leaves your heart soaring and your mind enraptured by a carefree spirit. I smile every time I think back on that lovely dream. I just wanted to explore further and see where all those hills and valleys would take me. To get lost in a dream is often such an awe-inspiring experience. I can only hope this year will be filled with more visions like this.
Her Writing Haven 