Monday, September 27, 2010

Diary extract No. 20


Stars are Real. (You must Remember.)


This house echoes at night, when everyone is tucked into their bedclothes, and we have to be so very quiet as we creep down the hall in our embroidered nightgowns, crinkled aster crowns woven into our tangled hair. Floorboards creak and the house groans in the darkness. The lamps we carry cast odd shadows against the walls and the photographs seem to come alive from their frames. There are no thimbles here, and our armour has been left by the wayside. They are never needed. Tallie and Bea, somehow, they know the secret to being Real. (And to them, I have the same key.) And I have missed them ever so much. They Understand the smell of toast and the warmth of tea behind ribs and the feel of fingers through hair. There is no need to be afraid, no reason to be Brave.

We spend our nights letting the cool breeze flutter the sleeves of our silk nightgowns. Picnic quilts on soft grass and milky tea kept warm in a Thermos. Closing our eyes and counting the stars. They dance across our eyelids, each constellation a tiny story before our eyes. But we don't have enough fingers on our hands, you see. Even all the world's fingers together couldn't count them all. There is some magic in impossibilities. Some beauty in knowing some things will always remain secret. Some nights when the fog covers the inky sky and it seems as though the stars were only a faerie-tale we heard once upon a time, all we can do is Remember the stardust they left behind as we traced their shapes with our fingertips. Other nights, when the milky way is so clear and bright, it seems as though we could scoop up the whole universe with our cupped hands. And memories of those nights are enough to let us sleep in our cosy beds and see the stars through our bedroom ceilings. We don't need to see the stars to know they are there.

We will never lose the stars, you see. Even if they leave, we'll always Remember.

22 comments:

The Gull said...

you, my dear, are like a little star in my heart x

Clare said...

this is so beautiful, i want to keep it forever and ever xx

Ariana said...

Princess Elly, this is so touching. There are some things in which the mere memory breathes magic into a heart, and your words are one of them. Never stop! <3

Rachel said...

You always say such true things, Elly. Your posts are always a pleasure to read.

I agree, there is magic in the impossibilities.

skye said...

Oh, this is exquisite Elly, all kinds of wonder-ful. I want to creep down the stairs too and have starlit picnics, only you can't seem them well here, just Orion and Jupiter and Venus on a good night. Do you ever invent your own constellations?

clara said...

this is too enchanting, really, it's marvelous.

Sarah said...

very beautiful words!!! you really have a talent!!!

Anonymous said...

I don't know what to say. You are so, so amazing. These photographs... *sigh* if I could live in them, I would be happy. That sky, those stars, every single one of your words, all mean so much to me. You are the most beautiful queen in all the universe. Love. xxx

Anonymous said...

You, are beautiful.

Thank you for this, and for making me smile tonight. I will never forget the stars, and as a result, I will never forget you, you stunning whirling constellation.

Yours,
Norah of Lets Run Away
@ http://thislittleblogbelongstome.blogspot.com

Molly said...

i'm quite sure the stars will evoke your words as your words evoke how special you are! xxx

Anonymous said...

'crinkled aster crowns woven into our tangled hair' i can't think of anything more beautiful xxx

Anonymous said...

Elly, your words are absolutely perfect. And the photographs are just breathtaking too, your entries always manage to leave me speechless.
Lots of love <3 xxx

Anonymous said...

must remember, must remember. the clouds cover the sky in such a way i always forget.

thank you for reminding me, you are beautiful.
X

Anonymous said...

God, I don't even know what to do with these words. They're so beautiful, too beautiful. Never change.
xx

go cry wolf said...

absolutely touching.

rena.

following. (:

Anouk said...

starry, starry night, i like.

Athena. said...

This was incredible. Every word; like a note in a song; perfectly placed and heart-warming. I am left with a feeling that is so very rare and so very longed for. Thank you. xxx

Anonymous said...

Elly, Elly, Elly. This rings truer than true, thank you infinitely for word-warming the ribs I call my own. I miss you lots, I hope you are well and not too warm? xxx V.

Anonymous said...

oh gosh this is beautiful

Grace said...

your blog is like a dream and a whisper <3...this makes me sigh

Princess Camille said...

I absolutely love your blog! Your writing is full of such magic; I long to crawl into your photographs and be bathed in your words. <3

iz said...

What a refreshing read.
thankyou

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like talking to trees, your whispers hidden in the wind. only sometimes the trees talk back. like wishing on a star and having the star wish on you. say what you like; there's always someone listening.
a very merry thank you.