There is no drama in most moments, but the accumulation becomes a story. One day you wake up, or you think you wake up. But something burns—you can smell it in the air. Ashes of yesterday are falling from the sky. You thought the past was dead, but it has only rearranged itself into today, or is it already tomorrow?
And what happened yesterday anyway?
I went out to the hazel wood because a fire was in my head. I walked and walked and walked until I came to a pool of water, still and deep. I sat beside it, watching my reflection smolder, waiting for something to be revealed. The light scattered on the liquid surface held me and gave me a different life, turned me inside out.
Now I am only flames, or was that yesterday? Which side am I on?
For the dVerse Prosery prompt from Kim, some inspiration from Yeats: ‘I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head’.
The art is from a series of constellation poems I did for Pure Haiku. Freya’s current theme is Unfurling–you can submit until February 28.
K. 
Mesmerizing, Kerfe, the layers of perceptions. Such a beautiful flaming artwork, love how you used the paper and the stitching to add dimensions.
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Thanks Jade. Ever since I discovered stitching on paper, I’ve been using it to do exactly that. Our perceptions are definitely layered.
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You’re very welcome.
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The artwork perfectly complements your story, and I just love the mystical transformations (and transitions?) implied in the story.
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Thanks Dora.
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I dunno. What DID happen yesterday anyway?
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Always a difficult question to answer.
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The dimension surfers who reside on the other side, they have a handle on yesterday, they banish time and burn in the Now.
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Sometimes we get a peek into their world. Thanks Glenn.
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Beautiful work and wasn’t that line also in a song sung by Judy Collins? N.
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It was. Merril even included it in her response.
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Kerfe, has anyone else ever told you that you’re deep? I love this. I love the first paragraph in particular.
-David
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Thanks David. What a nice compliment! I try to do free writing at least a few times a week and this came from one of those sessions. It’s always interesting what the mind comes up with when left to its own devices uncensored.
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I love that the prompt lines evoked the phoenix for you, Kerfe, and the gorgeous artwork complements your words. Your piece appeals to all the senses: the smell of something burning in the air, the ashes falling from the sky, the reflections in the pool and the ‘light scattered on the liquid surface’. Intensely beautiful writing.
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Thanks Kim. Interesting, I did not see the involvement of the senses. I always think I do poorly with including sense in my writing, so I’m pleased you noticed it.
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This is wonderful. I love the layers and the point of view of the phoenix: “Ashes of yesterday are falling from the sky.” I particularly like the first paragraph. The art is beautiful, too.
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Thanks Merril. I think the Oracle was helping with this one.
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Most likely. 😏
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‘Ashes of yesterday are falling from the sky’ – are they ever! This writing really touched me as did the accompanying artwork.
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Thanks Ingrid. Yes they are.
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Those are the kind of questions we ask when the present has become too slippery and elusive to grasp. The tone of the second section is very Yeatsian.
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Thanks Jane. It’s hard to get a grasp on any sense of time right now. And I’m glad I was able to capture some of the flavor of Yeats.
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You did.
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I became totally immersed in your prose! The art, the meaning / message I gleaned from your words …. amazing.
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Thanks Helen.
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Sometimes there is not much happening… maybe what is most important happens inside our mind where time matters less.
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It often seems to be so. Thanks Bjorn.
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My goodness this is good! I love how evocatively you suggest the things that take form in the shape of questions – past, present, (future?) in the mind. Especially a poetic mind. 💝💝 We are phoenixes forever evolving 🙂
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We are! thanks Sanaa.
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we are shaped by those ashes of yesterday … enjoying your philosophical questioning!
is that textile art, would love to feel it!
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Thanks Kate. It’s transparent paper over painted paper with stitching on top. So it does have different textures.
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yes it looks tactile, thanks!
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Love.
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Thanks!
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