THE MUSE ALBUM

Far from her nest, they were wine-tasting in vineyards, holidaying in paradise, and sharing their romance with the world; her dreams had come true.

*

Her fantasies would usually run out of nowhere. Since she was a child, she would dream of the perfect meet-cute; she dreamt of a man and dreamt of fame. Her mind could be such a liar! She would dream big, and he would be a rockstar. They would meet at a concert, his concert, where he would pick her out from the crowd and declare love at first sight on the mic to thousands of fans. She would go backstage. They would go on a date, their first date.

Then, suddenly, upon the summer breeze, as night came, with one date, her life would change!

LEDA AND HER SWAN

She was Leda; he was her Swan. The rapture played out like a cartoon; they were in newspapers and magazines. They were the glimpse in the eye of fantasy. She was twenty-two; he was thirty-three. She was from one side of the planet, and he was from another. They meet across a crowded veil of adoring fans.

She is with her friends, they would drink wine before the concert, a glass of Merlot, or two, or three. She would drink wine in the crowd. Then, once backstage, their first date began with more wine. He took her for an evening, through the early hours of the morning, in the city where they both were. In parks, in empty streets. Then, he would have to continue the tour, but he would not let her out of his sight. She must go on tour with him. Visit every country with him, and stand at the side of the stage where he would run and kiss her.

He had picked her up in a city of Scotland; her friends had been shocked. Through the continents, they went where every day is hot! The obsession was rich! Room service galore! A travelling circus! He had the brightest and best career, and she was along for the ride. It sounded great! But the price of this fast dream was greater.

The not-always-easy relationship blossomed backstage. Leda is sipping nectar and praising god! As his muse, she helps him to forget his worries; she allows herself to forget. They are always trying to create the perfect opportunity; make the best photograph.

When such a handsome boy presents himself, don’t ask why! He was a creative genius in a silver plane with his new love, so musical and haunted, a poet with a melody. He would surprise her with a diamond necklace, write a song about her, write an entire album. She would be his rock-and-roll Muse. It blew her mind that such an age-old fantasy from her young years would come true.

SUNSHINE AND WATERMELON

They talk up the wholesome days at the chateau, chasing the sun, they follow the moving feast all around the world. A Concierge team would choose food and wine for them to drink, send them to their rooms. In the bathroom, they would drink wine; he would apply her makeup; she would dress him up in drag. They shared stories at the dinner table. She lost herself, he found her.

Leda was a magnet; and her Swan would gravitate toward her. It was a date that racked up thousands of miles, a thousand delicate moments, drinking and singing, carrying the heavy night. These glimmering nights were reckless. They were like vampires in the night; Merlot wine became their charm; it featured upon every wild night, through the ever-expanding cultures they flew to and from, it was the date that would never end.

They share the splendid joy of pulling faces; she was the rare beauty in his eyes. A camera would always be near at hand, capturing the highs and the lows: the private planes, the stroking, the 5-star luxury hotels, eating sushi at sunset, the paparazzi, the music videos, the wearing of each other’s minds. They would fly on! The date would fly high into the white clouds, past rainbow and sunflower, and life would fade to the haze of a dream.

It was all fun and games; they dine on fine wine and eat picnics in the rain; the delicious tales thicken and boil. They would eat the best food, drink the best, have the best parties. The Swan would be the most pristine soul. And, she was like a tempest, a forest fire, whelping, giggling, snorting.

She liked being the centre of attention; she never said it out loud. She wanted to create a life no one had lived. A life where She could pursue her aspirations in life; he would be supportive; he would steal her breath.

They live it together. They’re very own rock and roll life, so very gatsbyesque! Her dream world is cool and iconic.

LOVERS TIFF

Glamorous Leda, he would call her.

He would ask impossible questions of his Muse, try to penetrate that deep sense of mystique.

For Leda, her whole life had changed. But for the Swan, he was riding his heatwave. Leda wanted to go to university; the Swan wanted her to enrol in drugs. Sat in bed, writing songs, they talked about the future he wanted.

She starts back, the high price of dreaming has collected her, given her to the dream. She walks beside him; he holds her hand; they share a sweet kiss. She was a fantasist, and he was loving. She was a seduction, and he was a needy man.

The lukewarm party spiked a few sour rounds, a cocaine scandal, and an awful temper; he slapped her, told her she didn’t see what she saw. And just like that, She flew back home on the next plane. She went home, sat down with a glass of Merlot, and held her memories; a glass of wine transports her there, to the year on the road, one extended first date—the recipe for the doomed romance, a year of famous stories.

*

Their romance was like a bright cellar; it fills with wine and perfect moments. It was an escape, a lifetimes relief, a lifetimes excitement. There came this love, this one first date. But the date came to an end; they parted; the fantasy had been a volatile mixture of reality and fame.