Voices on the Web |
Darjeeling (in honour of my 1000th post!) |
X Angel Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521Oregon |
stumbling breath pained in her oxygen starved lungs she ran on and on and on behind her deep in the trees the hound's baying faded and rose with the wind's temperamental lofts shoving the strings of tangled blonde hair from her eyes she ceased her flight to listen for a moment there! the hound's bay grew louder and once more the fugitive took up her course shunning the light and embracing the shadows running headlong through a dense copse hair catching in the fingers of the trees to pull free, and float like gossamer webs on the breeze of her haste her weary feet tangling in the roots of an ancient oak causing her to fall into the clutching arms of the thicket to the soft moss carpet floor exhausted from her flight she lay a moment, stunned unaware of her surroundings when she finally gazed up squinting from the tendrils of sun that made their way through the deepest forest to glint off time-worn crosses and drip off the leaves of this secret place to fall to rest, in golden pools on the deep velvet carpet below ethereal in their repose the crosses stood stately and strong remainders of another time the girl rose to approach the nearest grave hesitantly extending her fingers to trace the design in the headstone her blood raced in her veins as she sensed a presence a warmth near her feet fearfully, she glanced down and what she saw there was no demon or even a driad spirit but an oversized ebony cat curling himself in adoration around her briar torn ankles looking up at her with a cool, green gaze that made her suddenly not feel so alone bending to scoop him into her arms she pressed her face to him and let her troubles be dissolved by his soft purr smiling slightly, she put him a bit away from her and drank in his feline beauty when she noticed something jewelled on his neck fingering the amethyst beads she turned the collar round and round his neck until a little gold heart came into view on the heart was inscribed in an ancient script 'Darjeeling' Darjeeling....what a funny name thought the girl with a soft thud on the ground below the cat launched himself out of her arms turning and miaowing to her to come he padded slowly into the forest after a short walk, she found herself on the edge of a beautiful meadow and on the far side, a lovely cottage with a curling wisp of smoke coming from the chimney mustering all the courage she could she moved hesitantly across the grass up the cobbled walk, between rows of lavendar to knock on a weathered old door but somehow, with Darjeeling there she felt unafraid, mostly when the door creaked open and a wizened old woman peered out from the dark recesses the girl felt a strange relief and simply said, "I've come" the woman smiled in a toothless grin and bid her in saying, "I see Darjeeling found you alright" the girl sat on a willow chair and puzzled over all of this while the cat bathed himself near the open log fire taking the steaming mug from the woman's extended hand the girl soon found herself in a haze of light and colour as she slipped to the floor fast asleep cackling to herself the old witch muttered and chanted incantations while the fire and bubbling pot danced in tune and the girl slept and slept unaware of the spells cast all around stretching and wakening the girl yawned and murmured and stood shakily weak from her day's trials looking around it seemed as if the cottage had grown or she had shrunk when she tried to call out to the old lady all that issued from her lips was a creaky miaow |
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© Copyright 2000 Heather Walters - All Rights Reserved | |||
BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919New York, USA |
Oh WOW....This is great!!!!! Loved it from start to finish, could see the whole thing like I was watching a movie. Wonderful imagery, terrific piece. Bonnie |
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Poertree Senior Member
since 1999-11-05
Posts 1359UK |
liked it before ..love it now... wailll i wanted to be first ...lol p |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
Great imagery and congratulations on 1000. Pete |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Excellent! Excellent! Love it, a wonderful read |
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jamesjiao Member
since 2000-04-12
Posts 268Backwaters of Avalon |
Hello, very intriguing story, X!.. Remind me of some fairy stories I read when I was young. haha... Nice expressions.. A good piece to celebrate your 1000th post. - James The beauty of nature is displayed, not through itself, but through the creatures dwelling within its bosom. |
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Colin Senior Member
since 1999-06-05
Posts 596Callington, Cornwall, England |
Awesome poem (I thought that first time around too) and awesome work on getting 1000 posts!!! Well done Heather "We are the music makers and we are the makers of dreams." - Willy Wonka. |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
O man, what a powerful and fervent imagination you have. I was totally captured from beginning to end. You should be writing fiction novels......you definitely get my vote.... |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
XAngel~ An absolutely delightfully told tale. Imagery galore ! Enjoyed ... congratulations on # 1000 ! ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
very neato burrito i must say "Amadeus Amadeus. Amadeus. Amadeus Amadeus. Amadeus. Am Am Amadeus. Come on and rock me Amadeus!"-Falco "don't even lissen to classical music!"-me |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Heather, for some reason, perhaps it's my jaded way, I always like it in books and movies when the bad guy wins. For some reason, though, this does not happen too often...I think it's a do-gooder conspiracy. This poem gave me respite from the warm and smarmy feel-good rhetoric I'm so often inundated with. Thank you. Alicat, the Persnikitty |
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Xeonox
since 2000-04-01
Posts 1764CA, USA |
Great way to tell a story and keep the audience interested. |
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Xeonox
since 2000-04-01
Posts 1764CA, USA |
Great way to tell a story and keep the audience interested. |
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Xeonox
since 2000-04-01
Posts 1764CA, USA |
Great way to tell a story and keep the audience interested. |
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Xeonox
since 2000-04-01
Posts 1764CA, USA |
Great way to tell a story and keep the audience interested. |
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Xeonox
since 2000-04-01
Posts 1764CA, USA |
Great way to tell a story and keep the audience interested. |
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X Angel Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521Oregon |
Thanks so much guys....I really do have a baby kitty named Darjeeling This was alot of fun to write, and I am really flattered about the fiction writer comment...I only can wish! *hugs2all* ~H |
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Parker Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129ON |
X, marks the spot on this one. Loved it, had me totally enthralled. Parker |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
playing catch up in here today.... glad i didnt miss a chance to vote for this very cool poem..imagery is perfect take care jm |
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