Visionary of Lyonesse

In my mind's eye a vision

Shimmering into reality

A ship, a crow, an island, a map

Waves tossing, churning, splashing

At the helm a man

Hands grasping spokes

Laughing into the gale force wind

Striving mightily as he turns the wheel

Sails billowing out

Prow jutting forth, climbing

A vast weight of wood, iron, spars, men

Riding up.. Cresting.. Crashing down

Sailors hoisting jib

Frantically pulling on ropes, chains

Scrambling aloft in the rigging

Salt, water, wind, rain, thunder

All dancing to the tune

As one man, indefatigable, strives, fights, laughs

By sheer force of will

Bending the very ocean to his design

Drives the massive ship forward

***Pictures swirl... New images coalescing***

A maiden in a ragged yellow dress

A halo of gold hangs over head

Hovering like a crown to be

A queen in the making

On her knees in a garden near the shore

Sings a song of loneliness, yearning

A song of beauty, life, love

Around her butterflies alight

Bees whir, squirrels clamber

Birds settle in the nearby oak

Rustling their wings

Listening to the melody

Chiming in quietly on the chorus

The maiden plants a marigold

Whispers "grow" to an orchid

Flowers open

Their fragrance spreading

A perfumery to entice, enspell, ensnare

Behind her a cottage

Wood, thatch, straw

From the chimney a grey smoke arises

Climbing to the sky

Taking with it a message

Smoke signals telling a tale

Of a young woman's breaking heart

As she awaits her lover's return

Planting orchids, roses, gardenias

To remind her to be gentle in her thoughts

Kind in her remembrances

As he sails uncharted lands in his quest

To expand the kingdom's horizons

***Pictures swirl... New images coalescing***

A castle swirls into being from the mists

Perched on a promontory

Turrets soaring

Flags flapping in the wind

Knights, soldiers, horses, stables

A page scurrying on an errand

A squire fetching his master's mount

A knight, armor tarnished, dented

Not shining ... dark ... metallic

A shield embossed

A rampant lion on a field of red

At his side a sword

Beneath his arm a winged helm

Blond hair swept back like a mane

Eyes of curulean blue

A prince ... A knight ... A villain

Soon to meet a fearless sea captain

Soon to strive to dash the hopes of a maiden

Soon to ride

Soon to fight

Perhaps to vanquish

Perhaps to die

...

If only my visions had an index

If only I could read them like a codex

Lyonesse would be the better

Ah well, back to the fireplace

A cup of mead, a story, a song, a spell