Friday, September 05, 2008

Green Moon Garden

There was a light breeze among the roses. The garden was lit only by the stars. It had been a long day, and tomorrow would be even longer. I desperately needed sleep, but there I was, out in the garden, trying not to dwell on the next day's events.

There was a sudden sharp scent of rosemary, so I turned and saw her walking towards me.

"Isn't it lovely how the limestone path glows in the starlight?" she asked calmly, her long white dress shifting ever so slightly in the breeze. "Yes," I said.

She walked softly along the path, stopping at one rose before moving to the next. Without looking at me, "There will be a new moon tonight. Did you know that? The second for this month, a green moon." I stood where I was, unable to move toward or away from her. "Hunh. Now that you reminded me, yes. A good time for new beginnings." I thought I saw a soft smile play across her lips.

She moved to the next rose bush, softly cupping a white single rose in her hands. She bent over so that her face was right next to the blossom and inhaled deeply. Her brows knit together as she stood and looked at me. "I know you chose your roses for their scent, but I don't know why I cannot smell them. I can only detect a hint of their fragrance. Can you tell me why?"

Before I could say a word, the tiniest sliver of a moon appeared in the sky. A single moonbeam landed between us, creating a hazy opening in the air. We both stared at it in wonder. A stronger breeze seemed to come from the opening, at least enough of one to move her hair slightly off her shoulders, though I felt nothing.

Her face became radiant with a smile as she moved towards the portal. "There! That is the scent I remember. And music. Such music!" Still I stood, riveted to my spot. She placed one foot through the now glowing portal, turned and asked, "Won't you come with me?"

I shook my head, "No. I can't right now." She stepped on through, waving, then the portal closed with a sigh. I fell to my knees, and the tears that would not come earlier that evening began to fall.

11 comments:

Rubius said...

oh that was lovely.

it left me breathless.... had to read it again. I really enjoyed that. My eyes were damp on the second reading and I am still blinking them.

I have never heard of a green moon but I know what a blue moon is. Is that really what it is called? I love it.

Well done.

ariandalen said...

Thank you. :)

Yes, a green moon is the second new moon in a calendar month. It happens with the same regularity as a blue moon, about every 2.5 years. We just had a green moon at the end of August.

Jess said...

Lovely! Thank you for posting it. :) I love getting to see some of the different things people are coming up with.

ariandalen said...

Thank you. :)

You never know what one little detail may be taken out and spun into a tale of its own. This story had its beginning from Ms. Fabulous's original Night Garden posting:

"(not mind you that the ghosts would be caught alive stopping to smell the roses, as if !)"

I don't like to explain too much. It can place too many limitations on interpretation. So...I'll leave it at that. ;)

spacedlaw said...

That is a lovely story!

ariandalen said...

Thank you! :)

AletaMay said...

Very nice. I love the way you have created and used this portal.

There is a calm to the whole piece that I really like. A sad, bittersweet calm.

ariandalen said...

Thanks. :)

Malena said...

You are quite the writer my dear lady! I'd love for you to keep us up to date on the cycles of the moon on my forum. You are such a lake of knowledge.
Love you!

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