Thursday, May 12, 2011

Diary extract No. 27

Stories must always begin with 'Once upon a time' or we forget that they aren't actually Real. Anastasia did not spend her last days locked in the draughty tower of a castle and Alexei never bled out from a gunshot wound and never drowned in a sea of bones. (Want to write a book, chronicling their afterlife adventures.) Took the sleeper train home with Tallie. Trains will always be my favourite, I think--the lulling movement of coasting down the tracks and the quiet anonymity between cups of tea. Half the trips spent gazing aimlessly out the picture windows; the other half spent running wild like Eloise on a train. Endless hours of Scrabble and novel-reading and guessing (deducing, maybe?) people's life stories. Spent the night curled up together on the lower bunk, the moonlight brushing our cheekbones. It began to feel like a strange sort of home. 


Cee brought me breakfast in bed and made me cry. My nightgown cuffs drunk up all my quiet tears. So happy to be home, you see. Wanted to spend the afternoon watching for whales at the Point, but it's much too late to see anything. Painted things white, instead. Will go to the museum tomorrow and help Maman in the garden. Continue to unpack all my treasures which I difficult to do with Alexandre hovering and Clio going through everything, both perched on my bed. Terrified for Friday because, you see, I'm about to do the bravest thing I've ever done, but I don't think I'll have enough Courage to do so. Might have to brew some Animus Virtus to drink with my morning tea. Had buttered toast and sweetcorn warmed on the stove for supper and ate on the front doorstep. Watched the sun set slowly, blitz milkman in my dress pocket, reminding me.


P.S.
It has been a year since I began this diary of mine and I would like to tell all of you dear, dear people who read my diary--those of you who have been reading it since the beginning and those who have only just stumbled upon it-- that I appreciate every single wonderful word you leave me. They are like little treasures that I adore going back and reading again. It makes me so incredibly happy to know that people enjoy the things that I write or that my little scribblings have inspired them somehow. I write because I enjoy putting my feelings to paper and was timid to share them with the rest of the world, but this world has been so wonderful to me that I do not mind sharing. THANK YOU ALL so very much for being kind and encouraging. Always remember to be Brave, my dears.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh, oh this is just magical, so so magical. The feeling of coming home is almost inexplainable.

Congratulations on having your blog for a year. Even though I only just found it recently, I really do adore it. You're so lovely.

xx Carina

minna said...

There's something about train journeys, I think, that allow one to sort of clear one's mind. I don't know. I feel I have some of my best thoughts whilst on trains. And I always try to deduce people's life stories too.
Good luck and lots and lots of courage for the Brave thing you are going to do. And happy first blog birthday.
You really are magical.
xxx

Lumina said...

Perhaps many stories are more Real than we might think...
And, oh, I love train rides so much, too. The way you describe it is completely perfect.
Like Carina said, your writing is so magical. <3

Diana said...

You are darling. Welcome home. xoxo

. said...

happy diary anniversary. you are a dreambird. xx

Matilda said...

Your words are always so magically beautiful, I do love train journeys, it is so conveniant that the glass above my head in the train is always soo reflective (it makes for wonderful people watching).
I cannot help but to be curious about what is happening tomorrow?
Please keep writing for many more years come, your words inspire be endlessly,
xxx

Anonymous said...

pleeeeeassse stop capitalizing brave.

brooklyn. said...

You are wonderful. And your writings are always beautiful. I know how hard it is to share your feelings with the world, it takes a lot of courage. So thank you for sharing your lovely soul with us, dove.

xoxo

Anjelica said...

Oh trains rides are the most wonderful things in the world aren't they? Oh a Romanov afterlife book sounds perfect. Happy year anniversary dearest Elly!

Anjelica xx

Anonymous said...

Oh Elly. Your diary extracts feel exactly like a train compartment at sunset, golden and warm and they rock you gently. Will always love your words.
xxx V.

Anonymous said...

I'm listening my friend. This world has been quite wonderful... thank you for reminding me. miss you.
Peace always

♥ CheChe said...

your writing is really engaging. I love how the beginning and end tend to not exist only the illustration of things that have passed. Love it all.

♥cheche


http://www.savedthrulove.blogspot.com

Rachel said...

This is the loveliest thing in the whole wide world. I do hope you'll tell about the bravest thing you've ever done in one of your letters. Perhaps it will inspire me to be brave too.

Rachel, x

Lumina said...

Perhaps stories are more Real than we know... I love trains, too. I think I like any form of travel (except automobiles), but trains are special somehow.
Your writing is so beautiful and magical. Congratulations on your diary-anniversary. <3

Anonymous said...

this is so beautiful <3 trains are my favourite too, I wish to go travel and not have a house just staying in places until I feel like going again, then I would sleep in the train and never look back. And the whole world would be my house, but the trains, they would be my room, my secret place, the place I could always return to and feel safe.

thank you, thank you thank you for sharing your whispers, I cannot tell you how much they inspire me!

<3

Ariana said...

it's been a pleasure to read, sweet elly <3

Diana said...

Oh darling thank you for your sweet comment. I've loved your word weavings here for a long while. xo

Lyndall said...

What a beautiful sunset. Sending you wishes for lots of courage to do your most-brave-thing <3

skeletaldreams said...

Your writing and your blog are so beautiful. I'm so happy I have found it.
I put you in my lovely writers list ♥
I'd love for you to take a glance at my blog

Anonymous said...

Dearest Elly. Reading your words always, always makes my breaking heart feel stronger. Lately, I have become rather obsessed with the idea of travelling all around the world by train. I really cannot imagine anything more perfect. Thank you for being here and sharing your endless beauty with us. All my warmest love, xxx

Unknown said...

I could cry, dear.
I could cry.

Spencer. said...

I'm so happy to have just stumbled upon your blog, you have such a beautiful writing style! x

Liz said...

your words are so beautiful. I can't wait to read more.

Post a Comment

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.