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| 18th Century Chinese Vase | 
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You were my universe . . . turmoil seethed in me
like star fires and billowing clouds of darkness,
bright with light reflected
from the unknown gods . . .
a small bubble of blue; a magnet
for lost souls and questing angels . . 
do you know what I feared more than 
anything else? Not being loved . . 
and yet I managed to survive for a time . . 
without another soul to comfort me . . .
Alone, I was, on the green meadow . .
still trying to cross the river that seems
to be but a trickle . . a mere wisp
dangled like a carrot before me . . teasing
with offerings of bones full of helium  . . .
and gifts of grace to float away . . . 
sailing up a sunbeam . . . I always felt they were ladders for souls . . .
for angels .  . . and I would gaze at them until
the spots before my eyes transformed 
into winged creatures coming and going . .. 
gold dripping off the tips like honey from a spoon
held over a warm cup of tea . .. 
my hands warming in the steam . . . I would take a deep breath
and make a wish as if I were looking over the genie's brightless lamp . . 
and I in a soot darkened cavern . . . lost for all eternity,
could dream with eyes wide open
while listening to the song of water
crashing against crystal walls . .. 
the hollow caves of me .  ..  dark and empty
the things that rattle around there,
a wayward mouse . .  dusty and gray, 
a frayed ribbon, green and blue,
a crust of toast, stale and moldy,
and a few odd bones, discarded long ago . .. 
with the stench of rancid grease clinging to the breaks. 
I know the heartache of loneliness,
it comes with a terror
and a deep knowledge . . . that I am unworthy
of being loved . ..  
that no one will ever be there to hold out a hand . . 
to help me over the river,
and through the misty valley . . .
and a Chinese vase, deserted on someone's driveway,
holds the ashes I left behind . .

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 I have to agree that album cover pops right out at you, it stands out amongst the crowd .. .. and does justice to the music . . . 'tis a beautiful choice . . .
. . . and the music . . . how gorgeous . . . a little different from Van Syla's usual beautiful musical excursions . . . this one (even more gorgeous) takes us to medieval times . . . and so romantic . . . a Shakespearian choice for sure . . .
Delicate and tender . . 
like old lace and lavender . . 
a romance choses to bloom
against a robin's eggshell blue sky . . .
'Twas Spring dancing in the meadow. . . 
her hair flying in the breezes
and dreams of love's gentle song . . 
where only sunshine could exist
and nothing could go wrong . . .
or could it . . . . . 
"For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo." - W.S.
but in the end the story gives us
exceptionally beautiful music . .
so we forgive the tears. . . . 
and listen to the tale told twice
and then -
again and again . . .
And such a wonderful Jamendoan reviewer as our Carybe, who exists in our lovely Jamando kingdom, is one to deserve a gracious dedication . . through such a romantic and well made music . . . the sound so perfect and the love so deep . . .
Thank you, Van Syla, for sharing . . .
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