Hallow’s Eve is coming ( scary ghost sounds)!!  I am still trying to catch up with home, work, and WordPress and  I don’t yet have any spooky images at the ready ( who me!!- queen of Goth!) but do visit Ed Mooney and his wonderful Bram Stoker Posts.  I know others will post on the…

 Dear readers, writers, photographers, philosophers, poets  and friends!  Only a few days left to Scotland and Ireland!!  I’m starting to lose it ( as I always do before a big trip) I’ll try to check in when I can!!  In the meantime I managed to finish two more chapters of  my sweet Niamh’s journey. (29)…

Niamh left her tears on the forest floor and set out with renewed purpose.  At last all was understood. The young selkie on the crossing to the island had been Bran.  Mischievous Bran was the raven thief.  He was the butterfly! Bran had watched over her and he had led her here. Though he was  no longer visible…

 Bran’s Farewell   Part 1 Niamh thought she had heard a soft murmur coming from the glowing canopy of cascading leaves. It slid over her like a veil . She was sure she had just asked a question but when she looked no one was there. She sat very still trying to recall what happened.  A raven barked raucously…

Wherein Bran speaks of things to come   Niamh and Bran sat under a tree together just as they had done in another time, during a golden hour in midsummer when the evening sky rained stars and the forest was filled with a singing rapture.  She rested her head on his shoulder and listened to the…

following  quickly on the heels of chapter 22 so read that one first! A Dream within a Dream Holding her face in his hands Bran kissed her. “I didn’t lose you!” she cried! “Oh Niamh,” he said wistfully “such dreams we dreamed!” She looked into his far seeing  eyes and knew at once that he wouldn’t stay.  Resigned, she…

A Dream Returning Through misted eyes and with a heart both heavy and elated Niamh recognized Bran running toward her and in this moment she didn’t care if she was dreaming or not! His hair shone red like Aine’s mare and his feet barely touched the ground.  His face broke like morning, and there it was –…

The Dream of the Dragon’s eye Niamh finally reached the dark island. A moonbeam hit the rocky shore and ignited a small stone into a glowing star. She instantly recognized it as the dragon’s eye, thieved by the clever Raven. When she  picked it up, the moon and stars fled. This dream was powerful!   Overcome with weariness…

chapter 20 play this hauntingly beautiful piece called “The Dark Island” by the Irish Rovers An t-Eilean Dorcha Niamh prayed that her remaining lost dreams would find her!  She climbed into the currach hoping her journey still led to the sacred spring.  As a swan glided by in a dream of its’ own, the Lady Moon opened night’s…

 wherein Niamh encounters the raven thief again  “for I am a wild and a lonely child.” The children were gone. Niamh cradled the pouch wearily, – four dreams yet to find! The island beckoned in the distance. The dying sun was falling from the sky as luminous light bled out between the shadows of the late…

The Butterfly’s Deliverance Niamh’s eyes closed and she lay back wearily. In the dream mists the black swan from the cavern river appeared and offered to take her to the island.  She was stepping forward to accept when she noticed the butterfly on the ground doing battle with a wasp and trying to avoid being stung. In pity she…

On Mother’s Day  Another Dream Retrieved and The Butterfly’s Kiss Snatching the jewel from under the thirsty butterfly,  she returned it to the pouch.  The creature flew to her lips as though to kiss her but instead, Niamh sensed a slight admonishing sting before it fluttered off on a casual breeze. Light-headed, she walked toward the shoreline and sat, certain…