At last! Chapter 5 Act 4 of Natura Naturans is finished and posted under the title Love (Part 2). This instalment is the concluding chapter in the Wizard of Wands, Book 1.
Many months have passed since the Buccaneer first set out on his quest to acquire the One Inked Quill, and in so doing sought the companionship of Merlin the Wizard and his pet owl Archimedes to assist him along his way. Happily agreeing, the three hearty comrades set course for Camelot travelling dark and dangerous underground passages in an attempt to avoid the ever present threat of Morgana Le Faye. It was here in the tunnels that the three journeymen narrowly evaded the savagery of Darkly Sparkle and escaped from an underground waterfall. Separated during the chaos Archie, Merlin and Buccaneer were later reunited with the magical help of Mercury’s indelible ink, which lead them to safety. Now back together the three tired heroes press on once again into the darkness of twisting tunnels as they make their way steadily towards Camelot. In his hand the Buccaneer holds two luminous silver feathers belonging to Mercury. Quite why they were left still remains a mystery to be solved.
I hope you will enjoy the story…thank you for reading.
~~~
~ Chapter 5 ~
~ Natura Naturans ~ By ~ Dewin Nefol ~
~ Act 4 ~ Love (Part 2) ~
~~~
Lost were long hours spent walking that day
seeking tunnels dark end steeped in deep grey.
But at last they arrived upon a hewn-rock wall
spanning the width of their passageway.
~
Archie took a feather from the Buccaneer’s hand,
and stepped closer to investigate.
“Hmm,” said he, “tis a mystery to me,
but I’ve a theory to postulate.”
~
“Said wall is not all it appears to be,
but an illusion to perplex one’s plight.”
“Watch as I disappear,” Archie amused
and vanished quickly out of sight!
~
Moments later he reappeared,
emerging from the opposite wall.
“A pathway behind this façade of stone
heads upwards to a curious hall.”
~
“How did you do that,” the Buccaneer asked,
“disappear into rock and boulder?”
“It’s quite simple really,” Archie confessed,
“truth lies in the eyes of the beholder.”
~
“The wall and buttress never actually meet
for their join secrets a hidden seam.”
“From where we stood when first arrived
the opening is architecturally screened.”
~
“A hall?” enquired Merlin shouldering his bag
and following Archie’s ponderous shuffle.
Said Archie, “I saw no more as I hurried through
only signs of a silent scuffle.”
~
“With care,” Merlin cautioned, “until we are sure
and watch where you tread upon the floor.”
“Buccaneer do well to stay close at my side
our situation has yet to be clarified.”
~
More outsized room than hewn-rock hall
with haunts of dampness and fear.
Bones lay scattered amongst skittered plinths,
cobwebs spun their webby drear.
~
“An old Temple for ceremony,” Merlin offered,
“but I know not of what prevailed.”
“There’ll be more I’m sure yet to be seen
when deep darkness lifts her veil.”
~
Two flints struck a searing spark
flaming the fuse of four candles.
In sudden bloom the swell of the room
revealed her curvaceous angles.
~
The Buccaneer stepped back a pace or two
aghast at the sight he saw.
Skeletons and skulls and human bones
lay fallen upon the floor.
~
“Six,” whispered the wise feathered Sage,
“and all from a different time.”
“Old bones flake, new bones break and
ancient bones slip away as slime.”
~
“Archie,” said Merlin, “what do you see
when you look up to where a ceiling would be?”
“I cannot say with all sincerity, but
this hall reaches skywards towards infinity?”
~
All three gazed upwards with uncertainty,
wide eyes squinting into obscurity.
When Archie stated most emphatically,
“the ceremony has already begun.”
~
“What?” said his comrades simultaneously,
“what ceremony is happening concurrently?”
“Archie?” said his comrades urgently.
“Please explain what you mean exactly?”
~
From far lofty mount an ominous boom rung out,
sending cold shivers down their spine.
“At the base of a bottomless tidal well,” he said,
the deepest in any Earth mine.”
~
“What ceremony?” pressed the frantic Buccaneer,
and grasped his two feathers tighter.
“An ill-omened hum hangs over this well,
its lament is a prelude for disaster!”
~
“Buccaneer!” snapped Merlin, “Get a grip!”
“Else fashion a mind that rises!”
“Archie please tell me what has now begun?”
“I have dislike for unwanted surprises.”
~
“Imagine a huge cylinder reaching upwards thro’ stone
at the base of which was once found a door.”
“Imagine stepping into that swelling well
to be carried upwards to something more.”
~
“In tall tales told in folds of old fable
we emerged from inside the Earth.”
“For a race once born into darkness and gloom
found chance to endure rebirth.”
~
The press of the press of the Buccaneer’s press
became evermore impressive.
“What ceremony has begun?” He anxiously asked
becoming evermore eggressive.
~
“The Rising,” said Archie in monotone mood,
“it started when we arrived.”
“We could make for the door but I’m really quite sure
any way out will be deprived.”
~
A thud behind them reaffirmed his doubt
as large doors closed sealing their doom.
From pores in the floor gushed excited streams
swirling water into their tomb.
~
“Folklore and tradition are without contradiction
in the telling of their fabled tale.”
“Her water either carries one’s spirit far away,
‘else one is lifted far beyond this veil.”
~
Darkness pressed down upon their crowns,
a chill promptly dampened the air.
Water gushed and flushed and wildly rushed
and filled the well with damp despair.
~
Knee-deep and desperate, dismayed and forlorn,
when the water slowly whirled her pool.
“Vortex!” shouted Merlin, “get out of the stream
or spoil in the spin of her spool!”
~
“There are steps!” yelled the Buccaneer.
“Steps on the inside of the wall!”
Merlin followed his distant gaze
towards what he thought was rock-fall.
~
There upon tired eyes glimpsed one tiny jut
then another in sequential setting.
Around the wall small steps did crawl
offering escape from the fateful wetting.
~
Archie was buoyant as he bobbed and swayed
and floated a path to the fall.
Merlin waded instead to the rocks he fled,
. with the Buccaneer in firm haul.
~
Three scrambled for foothold on miniscule mounts,
each step completed by fate or God’s will.
To the rush and roar of wild whirling furore
they raced the rapidly rising well.
~
Archie moved easily over perch-like stones,
tined talons teased a tenacious grip.
Though soon parted from their party of three
he still reached so none would slip.
~
Merlin’s assured stride aided his hastened ascent,
as did surefootedness and a calm demeanour.
Both were virtues the Buccaneer lacked
with his trepidation and twitchy endeavour.
~
Where two travellers scurried Archie hurried
and took a long view ahead.
Their slippery path plotted a perilous course
spiralling upwards into blackness and dread.
~
Water quickened the whirl of her watery swirl
pirouetting passed their perilous perch.
She spun she turned she twisted she spurned,
she scoured tall walls with smirch.
~
She thrashed she wailed she topped and tailed
she twirled gyrated and whorled.
She ripped she raced she pranced and paced,
she pulled pushed and hurled.
~
“Quicker!” shouted Merlin, “She reaches with zeal,
we must move further ahead!”
“Take care across here old rocks are worn
make certain of where you tread!”
~
Against the rock wall facing the full fall,
the Buccaneer set down a shaky stride.
His weight shifted twisted his balance desisted
as stepping stair began to slide.
~
He stumbled ineptly back his balance cracked,
his reserve flaked like dry old bone.
“Merlin!” he yelled, “what on earth do I do?”
to cross these juts of crumbling stone?”
~
Readily applying his mass so heavily
the Buccaneer bore down on one aged stone.
As it broke away Merlin heard him say,
“what little hope is all long gone!”
~
Fine fortune favoured the fall of the fool
when he fell into a backward slide.
The snag of a crag slowed his drag
stabilising his foot on tunnel’s side.
~
“Merlin!” yelled the beleaguered Buccaneer,
“two steps have fallen away!”
“I’ll soon be thrown to become dust and bone
in the whip of her cyclonic sway!”
~
”Buccaneer!” screeched Archie, “focus your mind!”
“There amongst chaos a solution you’ll find!”
“Buccaneer!” howled Merlin, “steel your heart!”
“There amongst chaos you’ll hone your art!”
~
Tearing torrents tore their torrid tide
rampaging fast and feral and free.
Feet below the Buccaneer’s woeful roost
wild water raged rapaciously.
~
Closing his eyes and opening his heart
he reached for a higher stay.
As white water rippled as dark fear rattled
his mind found a another new way.
~
Two steps were gone his leap was too long
to risk his fate to faith alone.
Had he had wings he would have flown,
and soared the gap between the stone.
~
In his moment of pride, “Eureka!” he cried,
“there is one last saving grace!”
“A bridge!” he cried, “to the other side,
a feather-bridge to span the space!”
~
“Maybe he’s loco,” said Archie thoughtfully,
“far too long in dry-dock repair?”
“Maybe he’s cool,” said Merlin considerately,
“but all we can do is hope and stare!”
~
“End to end with feather tips overlapping,
I’ll lace the barbs with my fingers.”
“They’ll reach I’m sure and both hold secure,
for they bear Him up to where he lingers!”
~
Without further delay thick barbs were splayed,
and woven to form wizard’s weave.
Nimble with sleight magic fingers took flight,
preening faster than he could believe!
~
“Quickly!” Merlin urged with eager egression,
“she’s risen another few feet!”
“Make haste Buccaneer tie firm your pleat,
make fast your task to complete your feat!”
~
Barely seconds to spare when feathers extended,
reaching-out across the void.
Merlin grasped and gripped the spanning quills,
as water lashed dashed destroyed.
~
By good measure his feathers fanned a bridge,
their thread a slender stem to tread.
“Quickly! Quickly! Hurry! Scurry!”
“Do not stop for fear or worry!”
~
The Buccaneer paused to polish his poise
to ensure his first step were true.
To Merlin he gazed in a wistful daze…
and then one small step became two!
~
By third fraught stride the feathers bowed
but held their binding bonds!
Then quill tips raked and old stone quaked,
then barbs loosened their tangled fronds!
~
One wobble one wibble caught in the middle
he sunk closer to her ferocious roar!
One quiver one shiver his voice didn’t wither
as shrieking he leapt to his mentor!.”
~
Water roared and raced and ravaged the quills
tearing them apart and ripping barbs!
One moment one feather and then their were two
as he scurried over one making yards!
~
Merlin’s grip slipped on splitting spines
his grasp a sudden clasp on thin air!
Archie grabbed grappled grabbed again
pulling him back onto the narrow stair!
~
The Buccaneer’s foot landed its mark
but his momentum carried him further!
Arriving fast with no way passed
he took one giant step more upon crumbling ore…
before leaping clear of the tier!
~
Piercing his shoe as he lifted and flew
was one half of a silvery feather.
T’was held fast in the grasp of synthetic hide,
in a sole devoid of leather.
~
High over their heads like a bird he soared
with one feather giving him flight!
Into gloom he flew but then was gone, that
Buccaneer with one feather of light!
~
“NO!”
~
Slipping tripping flailing and wailing
Merlin harried Archie to quickly race!
When above in the gloom in a glowing bloom
appeared the Buccaneer’s radiant face!
~
“Oh Merlin! I flew!” he yelled, “I flew! I flew!”
“Above the flue I flew over you!”
“I flew!” he yelled, “I flew! I flew!”
“And in my flight I grew and grew!”
~
“From inside darkness I’ve emerged anew!”
“From out of darkness I’ve returned to you!”
~
“T’was more a fortuitous Fool leaping with style,
than a flight of any reliable worth!”
“But I shall credit you this,” Archie said,
”you’ve a heart of considerable girth!”
~
“Now quickly ahead upwards we tread
to escape her swish and swirl!”
“Buccaneer lead us clear to lofty ground
and way out of this infernal well!”
~
Three hurried to climb skinny stone steps
with doom biting hard at their tails.
Higher and higher they scrambled their way
with death’s tipping hand on their scales!
~ + ~
A smear of rouge a smudge of light
a glimmer shone out from afar.
“I can’t be sure until I’ve seen some more
but it shines as bright as a star!”
~
Archie stared hard into the blackened haze
intent of seeing far further.
“Good Heavens!” said he, “it’s the sky above!”
And screeched to express his fervour!
~
“Then quickly!” yelled Merlin, “we must now flee
and escape this soggy insanity!”
“Step faster push harder reach higher!” said he,
“else we’ll drown within this misery!”
~
Chasing and pacing and outrunning the tide
they strived for the very next stay.
Upwards three clambered as one path meandered
to a star shining down on their way…
~ + ~
Unto last stepping stair they fled with dare,
until arriving on a wider projection.
To the lip of the ledge the Buccaneer edged
seeking sight of their next destination.
~
Merlin and Archie clambered from the gloom
and breathless regained their composure.
Shoulder to shoulder three travellers stood
upon the crown of one last boulder.
~
Their feather-light reached to illume old rock
a crag riddled with ravelling radicals.
Dry roots knotted clotted dotted and spotted
the granite with vegetable materials.
~
High above their eye-line bearing down
bowed vast boughs of vaster trees.
Fat twigs unending fatter branches bending
with the weight of oversized leaves.
~
When to their noses wafted scent of roses
bourn aloft upon soft calming breezes.
“An age in tunnels has left me nearly in pieces
I cannot tell you how much this pleases!”
~
Below still circled the predatory swell
her whirling well far less frantic.
Rising to still on the lip of their sill
in feather’s warm glow she was dramatic.
~
Calm and serene dark watered and menacing
her settling poise absorbed their light.
“Only a fool would fall ‘neath her shallow veil,
deep down she’s as dark as night.”
~
“Then it is a leap of faith,” Archie declared,
“for none of us are preened for flight.”
“If my sense of second sight steers us right
we shall prevail and all be alright.”
~
A gap of twelve feet separated the three
from the rock of roots before them.
When with one sudden bound the Buccaneer left ground
took flight and grasped a thick stem!
~
“Twice in one day, ‘tis child’s play
this flying with one feather unaided!”
“Now come don’t delay reach for this stay
or linger longer there until persuaded!”
~
Merlin caught the twitch in Archie’s face
as one eyebrow rose in revelation.
With his mind inclined with intuitive grace
Merlin knew it required levitation.
~
“I’ll give you a hand to cross,” gestured Archie,
“else you’ll never make the leap.”
“Distance is deceiving because of the height
it is more than a little steep.”
~
“Indeed agreed,” said Merlin,
“tuck a strong wing beneath my boot.”
“And on the count of one two three
launch me to the rocky root!”
~
“All being well and my bound finds ground,
you’ll be all alone to cross the swell.”
“How might you fare my dear old owl
will all with you all be well?
~
“Of course!” came Archie’s certain response,
“you really are an old wheeze!”
“I’ve Spring in my sight, one wing for flight,
I’ll clear the gap with ease!”
~
“Then so be it,” Merlin conceded,
“I shall see thee on the other side!”
“Leap swiftly grasp safely land securely,
and stay away from her grasping tide!”
~
He ran three steps and put down his boot
into the cupping of Archie’s wing.
With force the owl flexed feather tips and
launched Merlin as if from a sling!
~
His flight was short but his aim was sure,
he landed in dry rooted weaves.
And turned to watch as Archie leapt
and flew up into the leaves!
~
He’d slung his sling and tested his wing
before he’d leapt the void.
It pained him still but firm was his will
when deeper conviction was employed.
~
Now jubilant and thriving climbing still striving
for the summit of their rooted rock peak.
So far from the floor and just meters more
before the promise of Nature’s mystique.
~
The Buccaneer reached down a hand
as Merlin topped the climb.
“You have to see what’s waiting here,
‘a forest born from the sublime!”
~
Barely had Merlin straightened to stand
or the Buccaneer turned around.
When from behind them a voice spoke out
leaving both speechless and spellbound!
~
“Merlin my friend! My dear artful Seer!”
“How very pleased I am to see you!”
“I thought you lost to her swirling grave,
that I was to late for your rescue!”
~
As the Buccaneer spun, Merlin quickly begun
walking towards the Silver Winged Flyer.
“Hermes!” He bubbled, “you silvery Mage,
and high Herald holding highflier!”
~
Hooded was he tall elegant and composed,
polished to a perfect shimmer.
A dress of coal black subdued blue hue,
but not the lustre of celestial glimmer.
~
He stood shaded by a sweep of broody leaves,
freely tumbling from a bough.
Shadows deep only failed to keep
his radiance from flaring out.
~
Two friends embraced as old Wizard’s do
with hearty slaps on the back as gestures.
Two friends locked eyes as great Elders do
sharing silent whispers of high adventures.
~
T’was Archie who interrupted the Seers greet,
who leapt a branch to land at their feet.
Said he, “how marvellous to see you Mercury
as we rise from our oubliette.”
~
Three Mages of Ages embraced as one
a collective with unlimited measure.
To three Sages stepped forth the Buccaneer
so four travellers might stand together?
~
“Hers is the hearth at the heart of every Sun.”
he heard Lord Mercury say.
“She is well my friend and the route not far
to the warmth of her homely stay.”
~
“I believe this is yours,” quavered the Buccaneer
holding out one silver feather.
“On the contrary Sir its ownership is yours,
gifted to you for your measure.”
~
“I’m Lord Mercury,” said he in quipped parlance,
“but you may call me Herm or Hg.”
He emerged from shadow in one swift stride
to the side of Merlin’s prodigy.
~
“My dear Sir,” said he, “you’re part of our three,
the reason why four now stand together.”
“Our every endeavour has carried you further
and closer to the treasure you’ll pleasure.”
~
“I have more to tell when we’ve time to dwell
but for now let us tread quickly.”
He placed one hand on the Buccaneer’s arm,
“we’re far from harm but must move carefully.”
~
Of curiosity indeed Herm had a familiar face
a visage the Buccaneer had seen before.
He dug deep and trawled memories recall
yet couldn’t quite find what he looked for.
~
He was in awe for sure of this preened demi-god,
he was lost in the throes of near bliss.
For all those years spent soulfully wandering
had somehow led him to this!
~
The Buccaneer stuttered his opening line
clearly overwhelmed by his companion’s shine.
“Hb,” he faltered and twinkled a smile,
“the pleasure,” he assured, “is mine.”
~
Merlin attempted to capture an impulsive smile,
Archie let slip a muffled wheeze.
Lord Mercury’s riposte flew sincere and true
as if sped by the lulling breeze.
~
“Agreed,” said he, “tis my pleasure indeed,
to meet a maverick from Merlin’s fold!”
“There was once another with your brash and verve,
whose Arthurian legend is still told.”
~
“Merlin speaks highly of your essential essence,
he believes in the heart of you.”
“Great things will come when time is right
until then we’ve Destiny to pursue.”
~
“Walk with me and we shall talk some more
en route to Copper Door.”
“I’m told you are eager in your thirst to learn
and in your hunger to discover more.”
~
The Buccaneer hardly heard the Flyer’s words,
star struck was he within mystery.
He kept astride alongside his new company,
a fourth now added to travellers three.
~
Overhead towering trees reached for the sky
grasping for distant stars burning higher.
Upon a floor firm and sure Nature thrived oversized,
her every form a poem to inspire.
~
“Our path to Copper Door,” said Mercury,
“will take a long hour or two.”
“I imagine you’ll welcome this emerald seam
after long dark days in the flue?”
~
“What words have I to define this dream,”
mused the Buccaneer gazing away.
“When one walks with Gods in Eden’s prayer,
what words are there to word this day?”
~
Mercury flashed a smile and down a path he led,
“that’s why you’re here among us,” he said.
as Scribe within our fold.”
“To Camelot we are head with intention set.
you shall score the Legend to be told.”
~
“One hand must write the tale just right,
must reach for words of Truth.”
“History must be etched in The Wizard of Wands,
from the quill of the Soothsayer’s sooth.”
~
Speechless breathless at a loss for words
the Buccaneer fell into a stumbling stride.
T’was a reassuring hand upon his arm
when Hg slowed and returned to his side.
~
“Do not dwell on doubt or let her deceive,
what lies ahead is yours to believe.”
“It’s why you muse as you do and strive to achieve
ownership of Merlin’s wizardy weave.”
~
The Buccaneer let out a long pent up smile
a beaming gleam worn ear to ear.
“Hg,” said he, “is this fantasy reality?”
“Or am I really here?”
~
“As you believe the world to be,
so it is,” replied Hg.
“Now come,“ said he, “walk with me,
we should return to our esteemed company.”
~ + ~
At length their trail wound to a rock-strewn ford
straddling a brook silently running.
To either side plunged crumbling cliffs
tumbling into stream’s quiet babbling.
~
“We’ve time to sit beneath a press of stars
and still in the softness of their glow.”
“Buccaneer,” said Hg, “study them well,
each is a world you’ll come to know.”
~
Four gazed up towards Empyrean’s dark skies,
upwards and upwards into distant highs.
Higher and higher they lifted their eyes
admiring Her beauty in heavenly guise.
~
Venus shimmered her sallow scarlet flame,
a full Moon flushed her milky hue.
Into Her ponderous perplexity they peered
until dark clouds concealed their view.
~
Mercury shifted swiftly rising to rise
spearing an impossible vector into the skies!
His rapid return gave all sudden surprise!
That mercurial aviator in mercurial guise!
~
“Quickly!” He commanded with forceful tone
“we must take flight from cloud and chill.”
“Morgana’s carrion gather vast flocks en masse
her swarms come to take us to Hell.”
~
Hg wore the countenance of one born to wield
the great power of a discerning Seer.
“Never before has that audacious boar
bore such audacity to venture here!”
~
“She comes for the Scribe,” Merlin advised,
“for the writer of The Wizard of Wands.”
“In place of the Book she’ll take his hand
and foil the spoil of her darkly Lands.”
~
Merlin turned in haste to his companions three
his smile an artfully crafted mystery.
“Hg,” said he, “speed them safely away,
I’ll return to you all at first light of day.”
~
Archie stepped forward to voice his concern
“Merlin,” he said, “are you quite sure?”
“Yes,” he replied, “quite certain indeed,
I’ll lead them on a merry detour.”
~
Merlin winked at Hg in that way of Sages
ran into the forest and evaporated!
Mercury gathered the duo and abruptly stated,
“his mastery shouldn’t be underestimated..”
~
“Now swiftly we fly very low in the sky
to avoid detection from overhead.”
“Breathe-in as we leave out as we arrive,
‘else deceleration will spread and shred!”
~
“On counting three,” said Hg,
“we’ll lift away and soar!”
“On counting four,” said Mercury,
“we’ll land at Copper Door!”
~
Empyrean’s Moon shone her bedazzling bloom
pouring sequins upon the stream.
The Buccaneer’s count slipped slowly passed “three,”
by “four” he had arrived in a dream!
~ + ~
Merlin hastened his pace and took quicker strides
dashing with dare between trees.
Whilst in the light his foe would catch sight
of his shadow betrayed in Moon’s frieze.
~
The spell he had poured from his ancient vial
conjured free movement as one might please.
T’was an invisibility cloak a mirror for smoke
a wheeze to evade capture with ease!
~
“One dab one daub one spill of application,
one nip one sip one gill of concoction.”
“One drizzle one mizzle one dowsing of lotion,
et voila!” Said Merlin, “invisibility potion!”
~
In magic Merlin had entrusted his fate,
to the Craft he held so dear.
In Mercury Merlin had never have doubt,
he knew friend’s were safely clear.
~
He understood Hg was lightening quick
yet weight-restricted to carry two.
T’was why he’d chosen to remain behind
and lead-away the carious crew.
~
And so he had waited as the circling throng,
gawked and squawked and gathered above.
A trail he’d laid giving an impression of three,
a twisting path heading away through trees.
~
Within hours his course traced path to the well
where her demonic pout was out.
At rooty rock’s ledge he stepped to the edge
and stared into her bottomless spout.
~
Her smirch and bloom had given way to gloom,
gloom had given way to despair.
Despair had sunk low to drain away
leaving bare her precipitous lair.
~
At rocky edge he left a choice trinket or two,
signs of a Seer having spilt baggage.
Then doubling back on a wide arcing path
he raced Aurora’s dawning passage…
~ + ~
From a hilltop nesting whilst still resting
Merlin looked down upon the babbling stream.
T’was a mount with a perch a fair mile away
affording full view without being seen.
~
He wanted to be certain his curtain, his tissue of lies
led the brood to drowning ends.
Would he then turn to return to his task
and the companionship of his friends.
~
High above had swelled whirled twirled its mass,
black ink was in turmoil and tumult.
Raven’s rose arose a rose of twisted crows
a symphony of flurry and movement
~
Jet feathers swift flight,
swirling hordes no light,
when something ceased,
and a crack of bright,
amidst the gloom of doom descending!
~
Bursting black in bill with thorn-tipped quill
Faye’s feathered ferocity flew to slay!
Flocking mocking swarming rocketing,
black rain came with dawn of day!
~
Tides spilt torn edges of seething clouds
splintering the sky into a million shards.
Corvidae and pain fell again and again
pooling amass upon streams’ babbled yards.
~
A mass swirling and flurrying black feathers still scurrying,
scattered, gathered, strutted and stalked.
Seething sighing blood-lust flying and
carving crowing clawing when they walked.
~
With such a swathe of seething rage
Merlin’s set trail was quickly found.
From crest of hill Merlin chanced a smile
when amass all turned around…
as one by one they followed along
the deadly path to a wet end bound.
~
“Craft a draft with a dizzy dash of good luck!”
Merlin mused setting pace to Copper Door.
“Well that and knowing of tidal times,” he said,
“just to ensure and be doubly sure!”
~
At last fleck of the fleeing flock,
blossomed Aurora’s swollen rose.
Dew tipped prickles pulsed and rippled
as she arose in scintillating prose…
~ + ~
Had I wit to wonder when my particles returned,
long before my senses would ever glean.
Perhaps I’d have felt the pressing back out
of my light-self into labyrinthine.
~
The rush the thrill and still pulsating when still
as atoms found their way to form me!
I look and see as parts of me shape me beyond me
and turn to firm again as me as bones!
Oh my!
~
It’s perfectly true my experience was through
in less than a miraculous second.
But not my lingering recall lingering still
of the fleshy robes of primordial schneken.
~
My ripple rippled for blissful hours, the rush
departed with one breath of air.
Returning from light is inexpressible delight,
more intimate than a love affair.
~
Emergent as three were Archie me and Mercury
upon swollen tip of a hilltop peak.
T’was an ancient mound intentionally crowned
with megaliths of antediluvian mystique.
~
Beyond all-around and far-away to my eyes
radiated the radiance of a radiant land.
At first sight so bright so light and snow-white
I shielded the shock beneath salute of one hand.
~
She was a parallel of coincidental correspondence,
her accordance in concordance and harmony.
A highland rising undulating and forming, still
firming towards one unified singularity
~
Snow-peaked, snow-laden, snow fields lay pillowed
Dreaming in homogenised reveries.
Bunkering bewildering wilderness shifted
drifted beneath a quilt of snowy seas.
~
To my eyes still distant in forming vision,
towards rugged peaks capped with ice.
Colossal overwhelming charismatic and charming
flowed Nature’s presidential paradise.
.~
“Long have I held a feeling, a sense of believing,
in a realm still taking its first breath.”
“Elemental simplicity primordial complexity
potentiality balanced precariously on the edge of death.”
~
T’was Hg’s line finishing my first thought
as I returned to a semblance of calm.
“Linger longer,” said he, “let new colours spill and thrill
and find way into your heart.”
~
Mere moments indeed when with sight improved
blindness lifted from my squinted gaze.
At once the gleam of an undifferentiated scene
withered with my hedonistic haze.
~
I shivered or quivered whichever it was
at a last pulse of atomic surge.
With bio-systems intact compact and fully charged
binocular biology blinked and merged…
~
In that single moment of darkness whispered a breeze,
“Traveller do not be afraid of me.”
“Walk in wonder towards Copper Door and
far deeper into Mystery.”
~
As my ear did hearken
to a soft voice spoken
my spell was broken!
My eyes shot open!
My fear awoken!
My breath frozen!
My senses in motion
as into my vision
a new scene was woven!
Oh my!
~
Candle light bloomed her soft orange glow
fair across a cavern wall!
In an undersized space less a cave more a room
I suddenly felt very small.
~
“”Darkness!” I blurted, “is that you who speaks?”
“It is I the Buccaneer from the mine!”
“Two encounters already since my journey began
our third now here in this shrine?”
~
“Hg,” I hollered, “Morgana is here for my sight!”
“No,” came the voice, “everything is alright.”
“What then,” I said, “is this tenacious tight tomb
chiselled and hewn from dark night?”
~
She spoke pearling words upon a silky sigh,
“my dear Buccaneer how unsettling to hear
of your flighty fear of fiery Le Faye.”
“Would you be calmed still if I were to tell
I’m not here to bedevil your stay.”
~
“I’m here to please or else accompany you
as companion in your dramatic play.”
“Silently we’ve been pacing and quietly waiting
and now here as your Felidae.”
~
“Have you noticed us at all in your lengthy trawl
treading your journey’s wearisome way?”
“Whilst remaining rather small are we unforgettable
with our patina and irresistible sway?”
~
“What the double toothpicks!” I suddenly protested
sensing the soft press of brushing fur!
To the floor my eyes were quickly drawn
to smudge shadow and fleeting blur.
~
To two emerald beams bedazzling from eyes
glistening as jewels within jade.
To the sweetest purr I have ever heard
from the sweetest Grimalkin ever made.
~
Upon a sumptuous throne of curvaceous stone
flowed her slinky nimble form
She was sleek with chic and feline mystique her
fur fashioned from midnight and storm.
~
Lacquered swathes switched swatches with cobalt coals
lustre licked the gloss of her pelt
Black fur with shine so exquisitely fine
my frozen heart began to melt.
~
I loved her way her faint sway each way rippling
as molasses from head to toe.
I loved her poise her pose her predilection
in the cut of her tail-ending mow.
~
I loved the elegance in the tilt of her head
in subtle waves of quivering fur.
I loved the contours of her sensuous shape
and the allure of her alluring purr.
~
I loved the curve of her spine and sensual face
her grace her polish her pride.
I loved her compose her blossomed black rose
her stance her strut her glide.
~
Her stare was a dare I could no longer bare
for want of touching one so fine.
From the first moment I caught sight of her,
I knew she was undoubtedly mine.
~
I approached with care whilst crouching low,
easing from shade into deep shadow.
“By what name would you travel by?” I inquisitively asked,
“might it be a name I’d know?”
~
“Niblette,” mewled a yowl close to my kneel
“Scriblette,” mewed another below the throne.
In the flick of my eyes between the two
they had both already flown!
~
“Niblette, Scriblette!” I exclaimed on a whim,
eager for glimpse of twined two!
One grimalkin was a magnificent sight,
glancing glossy two was entirely untrue!
~
From a splice in a crack near a neat small stack
came a voice melting chocolate and cream.
“Amber is what tells us apart,” she purred,
flashing eyes from an exotic dream.
~
“On my” I sighed, “you’re a bodacious sight,
with your limpid eyes of saffron light!”
“Breathless in the beauty of two grimalkins alike,
one emerald one amber both exquisite delight!”
~
A shadow stirred silently upon the throne
as a black pelt parted the shade.
Seamless was she and as fluid as night
as deep within darkness she played.
~
She purred as a panther to encourage my hand
to reach out and caress her fur.
She teased as a tigress torn from a scene
in a dream where she never were.
~
Hurried to haste for my first faint touch
she sighed a long visceral purr.
Charmed and enchanted I longed so much
to know the true essence of her.
~
Oh my! Would a kiss ever linger quite as long
if dusted against my cheek?
Would a flame ever warm my loving heart
as did the caress of her midnight chic.
~
Tip to tip with both sleek and slick her fur
pressed athwart my hand.
I closed my eyes as she eased to me
with her pelt now gently fanned.
~
Did I first fly or was I first flown
in that one press of her to me?
More Love flowed than my heart would know
more fears left than my mind could see.
~
Two delicate paws barely dented my robes
as she lay one either side on each shoulder.
Into my face she was gazing her emerald blazing
when I opened my eyes to her smoulder.
~
This feline face with lioness grace she moved me,
stirred me turned me to spiralling bliss.
Her touch when it fell lightly upon my nose
came softly as an angel’s kiss.
~
My tears as they flowed sealed our embrace
‘else sweetened my heart still further.
I listed and drifted in the sweet Love of her
upon seas as light as a feather.
~
I lingered and lazed within her emerald eyes
drowning in jewels knowing dreams.
I floated as a mote in her languid gaze
upon Love’s glistening streams.
~
She nudged and nibbled as she nosed my nose
and patted my face as I petted her grace.
Our union was instant our hearts became one
in the charm of our sweet embrace.
~
“Scriblette,” she purred, “come hither if you will,
come meet our charming new friend.”
“His touch is warming his heart quite endearing,
his gentle loving knows no end.”
~
My eye glimpsed a sudden amber flash
streak upwards from the floor.
Chancing quick glance proved pointless
before quick glimpse of a delicate paw.
~
At once one furry pad preceded two,
with a third and fourth soon following.
From deep dense shade flowed a cat so fine
one cast from nights dark hollowing.
~
“Scriblette,” she soothed stealing my heart and
pausing my breath with her mewl.
I turned my head to face her feline form
as she slipped out for her big reveal
~
From her mantle ledge in soft candlelight
to my shoulder in one graceful bound.
When into my neck she nuzzled her head
I sensed the sweetest love I’d ever found.
~
To that shared moment would I sit and write
and find a thousand words to tell.
Of how two spirits filled my heart with Love
and my life with their Grimalkins spell.
~
But it’d delay still further the forthcoming end,
and the continuation of my story.
Perhaps another time shall I share a line
or else tell a tale or allegory
~
T’was Niblette with her verdurous eyes
who pressed for a tighter huddle.
T’was Scriblette with her adoring grace
who melted into folds of our cuddle
~
“Trust in us,” she appeased softly purring,
half-closing her amber eyes.
“To Copper Door we swore to lead and guide
to take you further to other highs.”
~
“For you sweet love arrives a moment so fine,
a gift bestowed upon the few.”
“Tis time your heart encouraged your mind
without thought to misconstrue.”
~
“Asleep in one room of this ancient deep tomb
upon a soft bed of balsam and heather.”
“Lays a lady purple red in fine silken threads
adorning fuchsia and teal feathers.”
~
“Her burning emotion is her flawless devotion
sharing Divine Love unconditionally.”
“Into her swollen hue is a path set out for you,
one that ends in knowing Her Supremacy.”
~
“Would sense of sunlight kissing tree-tops tall
turn your sight towards such Love?”
“Would knowing the Loving heights of angelic birds
inspire you to embrace your Dove?”
~
Niblette slipped her sweet embrace and
to the empty throne did leap.
“Buccaneer,” said she melting on cold hard stone.
“Or would you sow a crown to reap?”
~
“Another annexe to this tomb hides a different room,
in which is secreted the One Inked Quill.”
“Separating you from this hallowed loom
is a choice to be made with free will.”
~
“This feather of fable for which you yearn,
will carry the mind to unimaginable heights.”
“Far farther beyond reach of one’s dreaming spire.”
“Towards Kingship and Priestly rights.”
~
Niblette stretched and arched her slender form
curving to a near perfect arc.
She relaxed once again with her green eyes aflame,
and mewled, “are you ready to embark?”
~
“Two paths are ahead,” purred Scriblette
but upon which would you tread?”
“Might Niblette’s path bloom your Kingly flower,
‘else place a crown upon your head?”
~
“Might my path sweeten your compassionate heart
and flourish Love’s rising Rose?”
“Or might neither path offer the fire you desire
to empower either Love, King, or prose?”
~
“Love,” said I without pause or dither
“I want to hold her in my heart.”
“I want knowing of her flowing in my loving prose
her flourish to every word’s new start.”
~
“I want Love to seal and close each line,
To swell and pour upon my nib”
“I want her fire her desire her flaming spirit
to fill my quill and always give.”
~
“I want to hold to fold to mould with her
to have her burn against my mind.”
“I want to feel the sear of fusing Love
when our hearts are first entwined.”
~
“I want to fall at her feet feeling wholly complete
and adored by her Loving gaze.”
“I want tears and deep stirrings and emotional outpourings
I want to drown when I give her praise.”
~
“Hmm,” Niblette purred, “what exquisite delight
would the flight in light of Love offer!”
“But why not explore your feelings more,
Kingly priesthood is the better proffer?”
~
“Why would you not rise to fill two crowns
to embrace both virtues of equal merit?”
“Would not her Love nurture self-Sovereignty
and inspire your Kingly spirit?”
~
“We knew one other who passed through here
whose path was destiny bound.”
“Yet one choice had he to be made freely
to embrace pure Love or be crowned.”
~
“Might you recall the ancient Sage still?”
“He who hastens to be at your side?”
“Would knowing his choice instil perfect will
or else help you to further decide?”
~
“You have asked so little for one who seeks,”
continued Scriblette’s tender thought.
“Merlin’s choice to follow the truth in his soul
is a vow he has never forgot.”
~
“I am without questions, my intention is set,
to know Love is my questing end.”
“Many times have I tried my feelings to hide
but I can no longer pretend.”
~
“I know you both sense a hollow in me
a dark place where light has never shined.”
“Would I confess in prayer as we sit and dwell
‘tis where my heart is confined.”
~
In unison my audience spoke as one without flaw,
“one always finds so much more to explore,
when our drilling bore draws close to the core
and first pierces a distant void.”
~
“Tis true,” I said, “I want so very much,
to know the press of Love’s tender touch.”
“To sense sweet embrace cradle me in her womb,
with her blood spiriting my eternal bloom.”
~
It was Niblette leaping into my expectant arms
who proffered her purred second sight.
“A righteous choice if it were perfectly right
to forgo instating Kingship with Love’s light.”
~
“Hg once advanced through her hallowed Door,
chose his path after Zeus gave him wings.”
“As I recall Mercury was a miracle born
for words with spirit that sings.”
~
“He wears no crown or covets a throne
he is a Spirit intended to be free.”
“Psyche’s flight is his might, his adoring delight,
dispensing her quicksilver energy.”
~
“Merlin yields and bends to Love’s sweet call,
to share wisdom of her enchanted will.”
“Mercury crests and soars and glides and guides,
and scribes with her One-Inked Quill.”
~
“And so to what end might you now intend,
having shared an inner thought or two?”
“Be certain,” they purred, “ before making your pledge,
before you step far beyond the ledge.”
~
“Tis not by way of mindful philosophy
shall your choice be held fixed and firm.”
“Beyond virtuous belief or humble prayer,
is the answer for which you yearn.”
~
I knew as I grew in one supreme moment
my choice did not need amending.
“I am blessed to walk as a humble man
with desire for life never-ending.”
~
“I am free within me to be as I please
when held in the arms of Love.”
“My life is worth spending relentlessly striving
with my love in Her Love above.”
~
“Then so be it,” mewled the Grimalkin two,
“your oath has been solemnly made.”
“Had doubt dampened your swift reply then
your choice was not for what you prayed.”
~
Into shadow they slipped sliding a path
out of sight of my field of vision.
Hours seem to pass in one beat of my heart
waiting for what followed my decision”
~
There was no drift or shift or crack in black.
No sound no thud or sudden snap.
No groan from walls or turning racks.
No whisper from doors flung widely back!
Only piercing silence pierced my tomb,
piercing my heartbeat piercing the room.
~
Then with neither growl nor purr of any sense,
a mewling menace flared my attention.
Fear ignited my darkness to a dizzy haze,
a gaze with no visible foundation.
~
“Snowmelt”
A whisper came floating from deep within shade.
“My darling,” it flowed, “do not be afraid.”
“She loves you deeply in a bond heavenly conveyed
long before your sweetness was ever made.”
~
Quills and fluid fur found form in my hand,
my fingers found form between fur.
She flowed like a river to her tailing end,
from the fluid tap of her queenly purr.
~
To my right she returned having circled me whole,
and slid her weight beneath my hand.
Her muzzle pressed, her nozzle nuzzled
nudging for embrace on demand.
~
Slowly kneeling though never leaving my feeling,
letting fingers rest upon her might.
When two exquisite eyes in Lapis blue hue,
twin pearls pooled in perfect night.
~
Alabaster danced swirling sapphires deep beryl.
Teal teased indigo’s royal blue.
Azure sheen sizzled ultramarine
blushing turquoise with cerulean dew.
~
Livid black slices pearled liquid orbs.
Jewels brushed starlight with lapis sable.
Black spheres lost in violet and jade.
Fused with fire and deep copper gable.
~
But, in one blink she was gone or spirited away!
Else pacing her imperious dark shrine.
My senses raced to taste her heavy dusk scent
for touch of her irreducible feline.
~
“She misses you,” whispered a whispered voice,
a wafted whisper wafting to my ear.
Wafting settling lapping rasping
Soft licks groomed my Buccaneer.
~
“We miss you.”
“Whenever you reach for so far away.
Or stray away from your far away stay.”
“Each time you set sail on another new way.
Each moment of each and every day.
Whenever your stay is days away,
days away from your loving way.’
“Snowmelt and I, we miss you.”
~
Stunned, rooted was I by firm stem and stable.
Stalled still kneeling upon the floor.
Stilled still reeling with her pant still purring.
With sweet-love behind Copper Door.
~
Deep blue ran rings around pitted black pools
Mourning mauve contested amethyst fire.
“Snowmelt” said I, “please, one blink more,
one glimpse more,
one chance more
for one glance more of your sapphire pyres.”
~
But her purr and perfume padded to fade
Folding away to slip beyond shade.
Left mindful was I anticipating next turn
A Knight waiting his felidae’s return.
~
Candle flame flickered on the whim of a breeze
Took flight from its tethered fuse
Light raced chased last phantoms of grey
Devouring my shrine in heliotrope hues.
~
Auriferous ferocity sensuously blazing.
Ignited livid light rapturously flaming!
Breathless was I my heart blissfully hazing!
Touched by Love’s Golden Heart blazing!
~
My soul aching with desire spilt glorious yearning!
All sense of sense seared sent burning!
Her light was so bright, her emergence quaking!
My eyes were opened as if first waking!
~
“Oh my Goddess!” I breathed barely breathing at all.
Powerlessly melting upon the floor.
“Oh my goodness,” I whispered my breath inhaling.
Helpless in-Love behind Copper Door.
~
“Oh my Love,” I grasped at last still gasping.
Still grasping reaching for words to say.
And then nevermore the sound of breathy words.
As I died in her arms that day…
~ + ~
~ Epilogue ~
~
“Master Soothsayer shall we make best of where we rest?”
“This sweet nest so blessed with happiness?”
It was either Niblette or Scriblette upon the throne,
two Grimalkins were sat entwining.
~
Snowmelt shifted her phantom drifted,
And excluded chill at the door.
Upon the floor she calmly eased blissfully pleased
By morning’s ice-cold breeze.
~
Niblette flowed from her throne and padded a path,
Rippling the darker shades of the room.
Scriblette leapt from stone into my embrace,
Flashing two liquid saffron blooms.
~
“We wait,” she purred, “here in the shade
and perhaps learn a little more.”
“Niblette will tell of what we’ve missed
and what is still left to find in store.”
~
“I’m not sure of where I’ve even just been!”
“Nor even sure of where I am now!”
“It all seems a dream, a whimsical stream.”
“Like a poem plucked from the brow.”
~
“Mmm,” mewled Scriblette and paused.
“Was there always an evermore behind Copper Door,
one quite as exquisite as this?”
“Was there always evermore after Copper Door?”
“An evermore of quill, ink and chalice?”
~
“Sweet Scriblette my dear you make it so clear.”
“In this instant I really am here!”
“Master,” chirped Niblette leaping to cutch.
“There are no secrets between there and hear.”
~
”So neat offbeat, feet fleet with beat but so unsure?”
Soothsayer, “walk and believe to achieve.”
“Else adopt adapt advance,” she smoothed.
“Please Master we must now leave.”
~
“Tis your time to write with Light!”
“Cleave splice with her Feather!”
“Else pull taut her Virtuous Bow.”
“Slice never slash cut never gash.”
“Her mind your mind, one arrow.”
~
“For sooth’s sake walk Master Scribe.” they teased.
“Take up her tier’s new start.”
“Walk sit alongside her other winged Seers.”
“Her Masters of the Purple Plumed Art.“
~
By fireside huddled a small group of two.
As if a portrait in a hall of fame.
Three hours were passed since Merlin had gone.
Dawn would soon share morn’s flame.
~
Quintessentially calm poised and serene.
Hg was never one easily ruffled.
His gaze was glazed in fire-lapped haze.
His thoughts tempered tho’ ne’er troubled.
~
“Your passage through the tidal swell.”
“Is a secret to fall silent on your ears.”
“You now have sight of my Magus sleight.”
“Tis a trick I’ve been using for years!”
~
“What better route than take Nature’s root?”
“Far quicker delivering at Hades door.”
“I wait for her drought, head back before spout.”
“And up through the hall in well’s floor!”
~
“The bones are a folly at the bottom of the well.”
“Fair warning ‘beware her swell!”
“Yet still they come to chance her whirl.”
“Few leave having stories to tell.”
~
“I’m occasioned by lost souls seeking their way.”
“Back to the past life or light of day.”
“I’m Psychopomp,” said Hg, “it’s my bound duty.”
“As accompanying guide for the final last stay.”
~
“I’m heading back.” Archimedes muttered.
“To see if I catch Merlin’s sight.”
“My wing is well rested to permit short flight.”
“My quill sharp to take-up the good fight.”
~
“No!” Mercury insisted standing firm his ground.
“It would be a most foolish endeavour!”
His emphatic command bounded around.
“Staying right here would be clever!”
~
“Merlin has more than one trick up his sleeve.”
“Else he’d not have gone astray.”
“Better we wait for Dawn to come.”
“Our path far safer ‘neath light of day.”
~
“Quiet,” Mercury said suddenly turning.
Hearing my first step upon the floor.
Moving fast, he arrived long, long before,
I could think about one step more!
~
“Where in Sooth’s Tale have you been?”
His words firm splitting the air.
“One moment as I watched you quickly dissolve.”
”And the next you were no longer there!”
~
I was still in shock and could only stare.
Not yet fully settled in the room.
I was overcome and a little undone,
Not yet fully out of the tomb
~
Niblette lay bathing her feline with fire.
Scriblette splayed out to perfect her shimmer.
Flame flicked licked glossed and glistened
Two Grimalkins with a rosewood glimmer.
~
“Grimalkins,” said I.
“They do Love a well tendered hearth.”
“It makes their day when there’s no delay,
being first to fireside by quickest path.”
~
“Hg, Archie, where is Merlin if you please?”
“I will recall all but first please don’t tease.”
“Don’t tease appease my inquiring heart.”
“With an answer if you please.”
~
Hg’s eye’s shone with truth in knowing.
“All is fine Master Soothsayer,” he said.
“All’s well in the swell of the tidal well.”
“Come sit by fire with us instead.”
~
“But before we turn and return to friends.”
“Your Soothsayer’s ear if you please.”
~
“Our Rose…
Her prose only grows when your love flows.”
“Give her sweet passion tender space.”
“Observe her rule never fool her Dove”
“Until your last coup de grace.”
~
“My Lord Seer?”
~
“Master Scribe,” he said stating the law.
“Always Sooth when you write with Her feather.”
“Live the oath you swore behind Copper Door.”
“And your hearts will be as one together.”
~
“My Lord?”
~
“Her wizard’s weave!” He said wearing smile.
“She’s already penned The Wizard of Wands.”
“And will write of Camelot,” muttered Merlin.
“When a rose cried tears for sweet freedom.”
~
“Merlin! Hg roared ecstatically!
“My Sage! The wonderful Wizard who is!”
“Still riding beneath her Banner I see.”
“Still keeping the life that’s his!”
~
“Always a last line for free!” chortled Merlin
“I’d miss your muse if absent.”
“Where did you disappear to?” said Hg.
“With your sudden invisible talent.”
~
Mercury’s eyes softened to a friendly stare.
He’d already heard Merlin’s victory flare.
As a message delivered from a higher Stair.
“Her well is swell, her swell all well and fair.”
~
“Friend it is so good to see you.”
“We’ll talk later of adventures.”
~
Two Sages of Ages smiled musing.
Sharing in the ways Great Seers do.
Three stood embracing as Archie cuddled.
Warming his twit between two.
~
Suddenly turning Merlin whirled twirled, cloak unfurled .
“Where is the Soothsaying Buccaneer?”
“Is he here?”
~
“Master Scribe!” sighed Merlin still swirling.
“How is our ruby Rose young wing?!”
“Shining and pearling elegant wings unfurling?”
“Transcendent in-Love never ending?
~
Prodigy and Sage paused for an age,
Eyes piercing the other’s knowing.
“It’s time to fly to your highest stay,
Rise the Kite showing Love’s glowing.”
~
“Gentlemen!” Said Merlin chuckling.
“See how he gleams when so newly preened!”
“Not perfect or polished by any standard.”
“But I think elegant, surprisingly esteemed.”
~
Scriblette mewled her eyes softly drooling.
To smoulder my shoulder with dark fur.
“My sweet yours is still a shine divine!”
“More colourful with your every next purr.”
~
“Brothers Sisters Friends,” she softly mewled.
Glistening with the tone of her flame.
“Forevermore shall four nevermore be three.”
“We are five as one in this game.”
~
“Sleek and slick and chic with thick fur,
Snowmelt now brings warmth to our six.”
“She’s our slight lissom Light phantom delight!”
“Enchanting with her tender sweet licks.”
~
“So six in our fellowship to flower one Rose.”
“And bind Land, Sea, Air and Above.”
“At our heart, her Rose is perfect prose.”
“And our Fire of unquenchable Love.’
~
“Master Scribe you are the Buccaneer no-more.”
“But now always her soothsaying Love.”
“Her Red Kite, her Eagle.
“Her Flaming guardian from above.”
~
“Amen,” said six as one.”
~
Snowmelt purred stirred lifted and stilled.
Then back to her chill on door’s sill.
She seemed so free to simply be.
But she stayed to keep us from ill-will.
~
Three left our quickly huddled prayer.
Returning to warm by hearth’s fire.
“Tell me,” said Hg turning back to me.
“What do you now desire?”
~
Staring into his knowing eyes I said.
“To walk on the surface of the Sun.”
~
“Hmm,” said Hg with a wry old smile,
“One day my Sage, when your journey is all done.
I’ll carry you there to the heart of the Sun.”
“And lay you down with the soul of the One.”
“Until then, you have a far higher purpose to serve,
and we have Camelot to be won.”
~
“My promise Hg was always to Serve.”
“To write with her rose on my quill.”
“To flourish Her flower with Love’s arching curve.”
“With Her verve cresting every word’s thrill.”
~
“Indeed agreed,” said Hg.
“Go weave her loving spell.”
“Write a Truth to last for all time.”
“A Legend always to tell.”
~
“She held me,” I said with my eyes misting.
“For a moment as the King I was.”
“The man-child conceived in a womb of Love,
birthed cherished and cradled, because.
~
“Fly swiftly to my arms Willy Wagtail” She hummed.
“Come child clutch at my breast.”
“Weep with me Willy Wagtail,” She sighed.
“Sleep next to me again.” She begged.
~
“Surrender in my Love child,
come bathe deeply in my spring.”
“Come suckle from my fountain child,
As once you did a King.”
~
“My darling why did you ever leave?”
“To quest when I was always here.”
“For you my dear sweet Seer.”
“My sweet sired Sire.”
“You were always my desire.”
~
“Where did you wander to be better nourished?”
“What dreams encouraged you to go?”
“Why did you wonder when so cherished?”
“Why ever leave the one who loved so?”
~
“But look!”
“My child now a Knight in-Love how fine!”
“In-Love again for the very first time.”
“Fluttering his buck eyes to fawn in mine.”
“His Sun now grown a Stag in time.”
~
“Antlers and feathers are seeds in my care.”
“Both gifted for my son’s new journey.”
“Fan your flare where antlers dare.”
“Hold high your head my Sun, be worthy.”
~
“Your future now carries gravitas.”
“Romancing Fair Lady Veritas.”
“As Knight and Chaperone.”
“You will yield to Fair Lady Veritas.”
“Be Sooth for Her veritable Throne.”
~
“Her will will will your will and spool your spell.”
“She will always define your measure.”
“Her will will will your will and fill your quill,
“With Love in your Soothsayer’s feather.”
~
“Come,” said Hg, “pray silently with me.”
“Pray for the Heart of our eternal red Rose.”
“Her Love arose a rose blossoming eternally.”
“Adored by her Sun each new day.”
~
Hg and I stood for a quiet time each reflecting,
Stilled in thought dynamically connecting.
Far beyond beyond I was cut from my tethering.
Dissolving revolving evolving bettering
Centring, dithering, entering, surrendering
Feathering, tempering, treasuring, and rendering
Coloured in the bliss of Love.
~
“My Lady, amen” said I sated by prayer,
now flowing in a rush of showing.
Showing still growing, crowning and flowering
glowing with the gnosis of knowing.
~*~
“So where exactly have you been then?”
Five faces finally had to ask as one.
“Far beyond here without you.” I led.
“Romancing the Grail,” Hg said.
~
“For you Soothsayer a gift,” he continued.
“This is now yours to firmly wield.”
“Keep her Love always warm in your heart.”
“Keep Lady Rose upon your shield.”
~
He handed me a fabric sleeve.
Two knots in length maybe three.
“What is this cloth with lilac wispy weave?”
“Embossed with strange heraldry?”
~
“Delivery livery,” clipped Merlin’s frippery.
“Rose cloth veined with heather.”
“Her will will be done, not if or whenever.”
“But done when you Sooth this feather.”
~
My gaze fell upon the sacred form I held,
traced its size and unexplored dimension.
I sat to sit under the sudden weight of it,
with anticipation focusing my attention.
~
Small folds opened further layers slipped away,
until a wrap of scorching red satin.
“Amor Vincit Omnia,” I read out loud,
elegant words sown in Latin.
~
Sumptuous to the touch her satin smouldered,
Folded peeled to reveal her feather.
She was so bright, so delicately light,
my hand began to quiver.
~
“Behold, Milvus Milvus,” Hg confided,
“The most gracious of all Accipitridae.”
“Resplendent in flight she is never misguided,
Her Love always leads your way.”
~
Through tears all my fears took sudden flight,
my heart swelled and spilled its pleasure.
Now bent to the floor was this far, far more.
More treasure than I could ever measure.
~
Her Feather, a dream, she was supreme.
A plume of immaculate conception.
Without exception she was sculptured perfection,
Her Quill the will of loving creation.
~
Impelled to hold her, I withdrew her length,
and into my hand did slide.
I fell instantly dreaming far beyond the room,
but remained still by the fireside.
~
Trimmed at her tip by a jet of night,
She burned on a spine of rosewood.
Brilliant in white she radiated might,
Shone the Sword of my Knighthood.
~
One moment when with new wings unfurling.
I left the Earth with my head still swirling!
I was lifted and rising when I was suddenly flying!
Soon soaring without trying!
Ascending skies extending unending.
Racing the light of a rosy red dawn.
~
I couldn’t stand or cease from kneeling.
In bliss was I with unbounded feeling.
Falling through skies with my wings burning,
turning discerning yearning with resplendent fire!
~
“Soothsayer,” said Merlin with calm melody
his voice a lull to ground me.
“You’ve flight whenever she wishes to be free.”
“Her Love is a sky always gifted to thee.”
~
“Fly on your way like an Eagle!” mused Archie,
stealing last lines unto the end.
“Indeed, agreed,” declared Merlin.
“What finer words could be penn’d?”
~
“Quos amor verus tenuit, tenebit,”
I fluttered, flittering a Soothsayer’s knowing words.
“Amor meus amplior quam verba est,”
I flourished, flying away with a flock of birds…
~~~~~ + ~~~~~
Quos amor verus tenuit, tenebit – True love will hold on to those whom it has held.
Amor meus amplior quam verba est, – My love is more than words.
Photography/Artwork by Dewin Nefol
~*~
Authors Note: I have thoroughly enjoyed writing and sharing my tale of long ago and hope that the writing journey will continue. A huge thank you from me, Merlin and Archie to everyone who has shared my story and walked alongside the Buccaneer en route to each new chapter. We would not have got there without your kindness and friendship. So it’s a BIG thank you from me, and a BIG thank you from them as well. Thank you.
