The Dragon of Condensed Starlight
*****
"I have read until I am blind with reading."John Steinbeck, March 1958 from a letter to his friend Eugene Vinaver
*****
Once I stood on a high cliff and stared so long at the moon I forgot I was of this earth. The eyes of the Dragon of Condensed Starlight have more power than the moon and are lit with swirling memories of stars consumed and heavens birthed. They are nebulous clouds that form and dissipate as though burned away by flashing rays of sunlight. Within them I see darkness devouring light and I watch awe-struck as the light consumed grows bright and drives the darkness away. I have no knowledge of who I am, as in that moment I see only what the dragon wishes me to see.
I feel a sharp twinge at the base of my skull, and hear- I think- a snap, as though a cord has stretched and split. Now I am drifting in waves of feeling and once again see the world around me. The night air lifts me up toward the dragon's eyes and I lean my head back to stare at the ledge where Lea and Scarlett still sleep. The evening is cool, I know, but I have no sensations but those of sight and feelings that move through my heart like warm water.
When I see my own body left behind by the fire, eyes wide and propped open with epiphany, I know that tonight this dragon's lessons are for me alone. I rise higher toward her like a leaf lifted on a playful wind.
Her eyes pierce my soul, and I know that she has found things within my spirit that I have hidden deep within the layered folds of my own fears.
Below my floating form the fire collapses in on itself, and with a shower of angry sparks, it flares upward then disappears. Sparkles light the ledge; I see them tumble from the sky like faerie snowflakes and then twirl about like drunken fireflies, dancing about our clearing to protect the dreams of the two women lying still and unawares.
The dragon's breath flutters my spirit-body and and mists of steam flow through and past me like cloud billowing through an illusion.
Her eyes never leave my secret soul, and her heart shares with me the wondrous realization that the birth of a story occurs when a writer acts on the desire to become someone else. No words have passed between us because dragon's cannot speak. Yet as I consider the stars above and the magical cascade of sparkles that enliven the world below, I understand that this dragon is not the mother of stories- she is the mother of writers.
No writer can float forever in the eyes of a dragon. I feel my spirit pulled back to my unconscious form. Nothing like this has ever happened to me. To leave our body and float upward on understanding is worth all the suffering a writer must endure.
The Dragon of Condensed Starlight has shown me that I am not limited to who I am. Stories are not merely stories. They are not bundles of techniques and rules and artistic judgments. Stories are gifted to writers so that they might change themselves. With each story we tell, we change ourselves. With this revelation, my spirit returns to my body and I feel the weight of my flesh upon the cold ground.
The Dragon's eyes have disappeared into the night. Starlight no longer sparkles around our ledge. Lea and Scarlett still sleep, but I cannot. I am kept awake by the knowledge that whatever mistakes I have made in my life, writing holds the hope of my redemption.
Next- The Dragons of Putrefaction and Fermentation
14 comments:
Interesting OBE you experienced, Rick. With mine nothing snaps.
Writing may redeem some of us, though I tend to go with the thought that stories are messages in one form or another.
I love that idea, Barbara- that stories are messages. I've never looked at them that way, but I will spend a lot of time thinking about your concept. And, in between training, I'll be visiting your blog as it is one of my favorites.
Re the out of body, I've experienced both the audible snap and the seamless transition. I like your way better!
Oh WOW - so vibrantly written and gorgeously told! This dragon, and what she teaches us, is my very favorite, Rick! I relished every splendid line.
"Stories are gifted to writers so that they might change themselves. With each story we tell, we change ourselves."
I love the Dragon of Condensed Starlight.
"Stories are not merely stories. They are not bundles of techniques and rules and artistic judgments. Stories are gifted to writers so that they might change themselves. With each story we tell, we change ourselves."
gotta agree, rick... also true for each good one i read....
She's my favorite, too, K. Lawsen. When I do put this together for a full length book, I really want commission splendid paintings to go side by side with the stories.
And I might talk to you about dragon poems, too, if you don't mind.
laughinwolf, I believe in that completely. In fact the more I think about it, the more right you are.
Hey Rick, just wanted to come by and say that I'm missing you. Hope to hear from you soon so I know that all is well.
Hi Christina. I just saw this posting from so long ago, but I wanted to tell you how sweet it was for you to stop by and check on me!
Hey Rick! i'ma new poster, and I recently started my own account. i am a teen writer trying to publish a book. Do you have any advice for me? Also, this is a quote by me that describes how I feel about writing:
Wrting is a way of expressing yourself. you tell a story between the lines, that connects to your thoughts and emotions. Writing is a spiritual instrument used to calm the mind. It is its own art, in and of itself.
Hey, this is Sierra again. Forgot to say that you can feel free to post on my blog, and if you want to visit my site, I post info about my characters on there!
the address is www.windsofpower.webs.com
Hi Sierra, thanks for stopping by! I'll drop by your site and say hi, and, if you don't mind, I'll answer your questions on a brand new post. See you then!
I don't mind!! that sounds great!! Thanx!!
Have somethin' 2 say 2 u on my blog if u haven't read it yet....thanx!
Hey Rick! I got your message and replied on my blog, but I forgot to add that I visit relatives in Connecticut and Mass. alot too, when airfair isn't that high. usually on school breaks, so if you hear of a dragoncon in that area, that would be even better, so I can take my cousin! Thanx!
-Sierra
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