Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Window Ghosts

What a fascinating pastime it is to window shop at old and mind-mystifying buildings. 


I love the possible puzzles.
The imaginings of what happened there once upon a time.
The relics with a story to tell.
The thrill of wandering ghosts.


A few days ago, I lounged on the dentist's chair in the Office of Oral Ornateness. Smack in front of me, a large picture window framed a century-plus-twelve-years-old building—now a theatre for play performances. 

And it mesmerized me. 
The chimneys and railings and vent in the attic.
And the windows.


I was sure there must be a ghost cavorting around inside and if I kept a steely eye on the windows, I would surely spy one. 


So while I watched, I sketched the shivery building. 



And pondering the wisps of folks long gone, I studied the open slats in the attic, the rows of windows—one of them missing the wooden cross bars (a story begging to be told), the basement windows encased in stones and brickwork, the railing that appeared to descend into the realm of the basement. 

And I'm sure a ghost or two traveled past the windows, anxious to tell me their stories, to send vibrations of themselves into the wonderings of someone like me. 

So to all my ghostly friends out there
who whisper your riveting tales—
A thousand thanks.
And a smile.






Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Seriously? Seriously!

Welcome fellow friends, colleagues, casual gawkers.
I finally finished the nightmare producing, hair yanking out ordeal of formatting my book to print for the book club to read. And I ordered it! Yes! I'll let you know how it all went after the book-club-ians discuss my book in their March meeting.

And now, I have a Pronouncement to make. Not an Announcement, mind you. That wouldn't be formal enough — a little too levitous, if you please.
So without further ado, I give you my Pronouncement—

TODAY, I SHALL BE SERIOUS.

As of this very moment, I have a contemplative look on my face, one of deep earnestness. So, thusly attired, I deliver my ponderings and experiences.
Ahem—

A fortnight ago, I stumbled upon a rare find for sale, a jewel in my realm of living. 'Twas a set of fifteen books from 1901, titled:

THE BOOK OF THE THOUSAND NIGHTS AND ONE NIGHT: 
Now first completely done into English prose and verse, 
from the original arabic, by JOHN PAYNE

Gold leafed, Published in London, Limited to Five Hundred Copies— of which mine was No. 349.


I HAD to have it! To my profound delight, it hadn't been sold and I scooped them up with lightning euphoria. Happiness! HAPPINESS!! HAPPINESS!!!
Oh my. Seriousness, remember, seriousness. Ahem.

So I peeked in one of the books to launch my treasure hunt, found a good spot in the middle of volume III, cozied up in a blanket, and began reading the tale of
KEMEREZZEMAN AND BUDOUR.

The story goes that the king of the Khalidan Islands had scores of daughters and no sons. Fretting over the lack of an heir, he prayed "a two-bow prayer with a believing heart" And gladness! — he was blessed with a son! A son! — did you hear that?

And oh, what a splendid son! He'd been "clad in the habit of beauty and crowned with the crown of perfection."
Behold! A picture of him with an angel who "abode awhile, 
astounded at his beauty and grace."





Ah, the description of him that follows!—you've GOT to read this for yourself.

Oh no. I can't do it. I'm starting to laugh at the mere thought of it.
I'm so sorry. I rescind my Pronouncement—all seriousness is off.

Just start reading along this passage and you'll hit the part where you'll understand why I can't keep my oath. You just see if YOU can be serious—



CAPICHE? 



SOMETHING IN ARABIC PRINTED ALL BY ITS LONESOME ON A PAGE
BEFORE THE STORIES ALL BEGIN. WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE IT MEANS?