The Dream.

Piano, my silent

mother,

I can touch you,

you are cool

and smooth

and willing

to stay with me

stay with me

talk to me.

Uncomplaining

you accept

the cover to your keys

and still

you

make room

for all that I

place

there.

We close our eyes

together

and together find that stillness

like a pond

a pond

when the wind is quiet

and the surface

glazes

gazing unblinking

at the blue sky.

I play songs

that have only the pattern

of my self in them

and you hum along

supporting me.

You are the

companion

to myself.

The mirror

with my mother's eyes.


~(Taken from) Out of the Dust,
by Karen Hesse

Beast by Donna Jo Napoli and Rafal Olbinski.

I gasp roughly.

Beast and warrior glow white, burning, against the gold ground.
The sun glints off the illuminated pages as it glints off the metal mar-snake-that twists around and around from my wrist to my elbow. My fists clench; I am aghast at dying, aghast at killing.

And thus begins the story of a Persian prince, who is doomed to become a beast.
I've always loved the story of Beauty and the Beast, and so I pranced upon this book, eagerly.
The story is told in first person, from the view of Orasmyn, a young prince who sets an ancient curse in motion by angering a fairy. Not very smart! He has to leave behind his beloved family in order to escape death at the hands of his unknowing father.
To India and back he travels, across Europe to France, in search redemption and forgiveness. Not knowing that a young French beauty named be Belle would be his redeemer.

I liked this book but I don't think I loved it. I did like the way she worked roses into the story (no I'm not going to tell you) and also learning about Muslim customs and other rituals I would never have learned otherwise! I do know for certain that I was absolutely fascinated by Donna Jo Napoli's way of retelling this classic story, and from a view not many people have ever thought of before!

warning: Some very graphic details.

Hi I'm back! I know you're thinking 'gee Rosie, thanks for deserting us, AGAIN!!" But that's not fair because I really haven't! Its all my computer fault! Anyways these last few weeks have been very busy but oh so much fun. I will update past happenings later, but first here are the four fairy tales I've chosen for the challenge.

Beast by by Donna Jo Napoli and Rafal Olbinski
The Rose Bride by Nancy Holder
Hush: An Irish Princess tale by Donna Jo Napoli
Golden by Cameron Donkey

A review is coming soon.

A challenge!! Yay I love new challenges!
Its hosted by Squeaky Books
and the goal is to read at least four twisted fairy tales by May 5.
I don't know what I'm going to be reading just yet, but I think I have some ideas!

Magic......

The shiny black cover of a new notebook, lures me, from its place on the bed.

I sniff its delicious newness with delight while slowly I turn the pages.

Stories flood my head, vivid pictures and tender poems mix with color descriptions and lonely poetry until they're all just a bunch of meaningless words.

I sift through it, untangling the jumbo. Then a story leaps out at me itching through my fingertips to be told.

I reach for the sharpened pencil, and chew on it's pink eraser. Then I put the tip to the lined paper and watch with interest as my story unfolds on to its hungry pages.