I could feel it coming upon me but there wasn’t a single thing I could do about it. Wakefulness was pulling on my eyelids and prodding my brain. I was wondering if everyone was able to feel this content. You know…You find that perfect position in bed, the head finds that perfect place on the pillow. I sigh as I give thanks for the perfect night of sleep and strange dreams of flying clothes and purple water.
I stretch my body from head to foot and smile as though I’ve never been happier. I have, but not for a long time. I rise from my plush bed and sit up running my fingers through my hair. I stand up and walk to the window seat before I realize I have no nightwear on my body. Oh, well. What does it matter when there is no one to see?
I touch the window and notice that the cold on the other side of the pane did not penetrate the room. The sunhad not yet pulled itself up the backside of the mountain. Its bright light lays upon the euneven sillhouette of the forest like a halo. I eagerly await that moment when the sun will crest. The changing colors paint the early morning sky. It is already a magnificent day! I feel such gratitude for the honor of witnessing the magnificence of such an ordinary, every day event.
©Sally A. Knornschild 2010
I turn back toward the center of the room and my heart lurches at the sight of my bed. It’s always been my dream to sleep in a bed like this. Whoa! A sudden splash of a hundred rainbows fill the room. I don’t know how much more perfection I can take in one day but I drink it up nevertheless. More gratitude. Then it hits me…This is no ordinary room. It is magical. Regardless of whether last nights events are true, I know this room is magic as it has captured the perfection of the sunrise.
I enter the bathroom and notice the faucet in the sink turn on without any help from me. Alrighty then! Those weren’t dreams last night. I bet the water temperature is not too hot nor too cold, just perfect. And this morning, the color of the water matches the sunrise.
As I do my morning ritual without applying spackle and putty on my face, I wonder what the day has in store for me. I smile as I catch my eye in the mirror and decide that even without makeup, I look pretty damn good for being 54. I wink as my eye in the mirror winks back.
“Yep…magical room,” I murmur to myself when I see my clothes already laid out and the bed made. I think I’m going to like not having to bother with those bothersome menial tasks. The excitement of awakening in such a magnificent manner has the day pulling at me. I grab my jacket and camera as my stomach growls. “Food! Feed me, Seymore!” I think of the gigantic flower in “The Little Shop of Horror” Just as I am about to close the door behind me, I hear a thump and shuffling in the closet. Oh, yeah. I really must look in that closet…later!
My hunger sated by nourishment I consider returning to the room to grab my journal and paints. But before I can finish the thought, there they lie upon the table. Guess the room isn’t the only thing that’s magical at Riversleigh Manor!
As I step out to the covered walkway I survey the garden before me. There was frost last night but the morning sun has turned the frost to water droplets. My foot stops before making contact with the pavers. I see a dragonfly laying feet up. I pick it up thinking it froze to death when I see one foot moving. A leaf on the bush just outside the door becons with sunlight and the promise of warmth. I place the dragonfly in the sun and continue my walk to the edge of the deck. The autumn colors are ablaze as far as I can see towards the forest. A gasp escapes my lips. Once again the beauty of this place and this day slam into me, filling every nook and dark crevice of my heart.
- ©Sally A. Knornschild 2010
My camera clicks away as I compose each frame hoping to capture the full effect of fall in this part of the world. I can’t stop looking at the array of oranges and shades of pink and yellow. How could anyone pass this sight and not be amazed by nature in all her glory?
The dragonfly buzzes in my brain. I look at her closely and see drops of dew on her transparent wings. My hand reaches out to her and I nudge her into my palm. I feel the energy in my hands turn on and I cup the other hand over her so she is encased by warmth. I giggle as I feel her wings begin to flutter. They flutter so fast that I wonder if she is in neutral or if she will fly when I open my hands. A minute or two later I open my hands. She is not ready to go yet and I think of hummingbirds as I watch her beating wings.
©Sally A. Knornschild 2010
What a wonderous feeling…to have a dragonfly in the palm of my hand as her wings beat themselves into a blur. They pump energy into her body, and rids her of water droplets. She stops for a moment, shakes her tail, then flies towards the colors of autumn.
I love dragonflies! This a very lovely reflective piece Sally- hope you write more in this vein.