I crashed into the week with news of an unexpected piece of work which was urgently required but at the very same time an old slain dragon (one I thought had long been put to bed) suddenly erupted into fiery form and whacked me over the head with it’s tail!!!
In no time there I was in the eye of yet another storm, face to face with the protagonist. I talked to myself………. stay calm, listen, hold the line, you know what’s right here……….I then wedged myself between the dragon and the mouth of the cave………..he breathed heavily……….
I noticed there wasn’t too much flame……….I saw a way through.
“I’m on my own here now but there are dozens more like me coming” I roared “they are on their way now, you’d better believe me!” This was the closest I have ever come to making any kind of threat.
I saw a moment where he looked tired, his life flashed before him, he was listening……..he stumbled…….he began to consider an easier option…….I have seen this look before. It happens just before an agreement is clinched, before a compromise is reached, before a dragon backs down………
But there is always one more sting in the tail and I waited and waited, while the dragon thrashed around in the cave…….then it came at last, a final snarl. I turned my head towards the light. In the distance I saw the sun coming up at the edge of the forest………it’s sunbeams highlighted my way through………….the bellowing would stop very soon if I could hold out……
Then it happened, he faltered, slouched and there was a huge rumble as he collapsed on the cave floor spent and old. Dust rose, cleared and then silence.
For now it was time to return home, job done.
This was no triumph. There would be no celebration. As I set out on the journey back my feet would barely lift from the ground. I could only smell the heat of the battle. My head hurt.
In the forest, the light grew and the green wood filled me with damp mossy thoughts. The beauty of the world. The goodness of people, the sweet smiles of my loved ones. And that soft light and squishy path lifted my spirits just enough to remember that I would never fully harden to the world in spite of it’s darkness. And anyway, here I was on my way home.
Catherine, you know,your pics make me cry, they are so accomplished. I was down at Newtown Cove this morning at dawn to take some pics vbefore a swim and I ruined almost every single one. Me, I ruined them.
I recall seeing a bunch of lenses on the kitchen table? What do you use? Oh, and happy new year by the way, forgot to say it during the week.
(Also, I have no idea why, but my wordpress credential never work on any site where they used for moderation, I don't know if it's because I have the domain name, instead of loneswimmer.wordpress.com, just so you know I'm not trying to link-spam your comments!)
that is strong writing. Hope you are OK now?
I simply love your photos…
Two things if I may, firstly I love the way you caught the "Old Lady" in the green hat waving her arm telling you 'to move on andleave me in peace'. Well I can see her anyway.
Secondly, I think you words are very thought provoking. Thank You I am still 'fighting' that dragon, have been for a while now.
Gosh! 'Celebrating the ordinary and the everyday'..? This was no ordinary day then…a wonderful bit of writing. Well done, I say! You did it!
Wonderful images – wonderful words…
Love this warrior princess story. Sounds like a wild and crazy week…and that you returned weary but victorious. And there is no place like the beauty and safety of home!
Wonderful words and pictures, I think I will returning to read this post again when I have difficult confrontations to remind myself the dragon can be slain, and remind me to concentrate on the beautiful things in life.
Sarah x
You perfectly captured how I feel about corporate America. There are some people who love fighting and slaying dragons. I am not one of them. So I fight when I need to, but I prefer to avoid those caves and walk a new path toward the light.
Remember the philosophy for 2013 "light" – like Dracula, dragons tend to avoid it.
And thanks too for your kind words about the CBP awards, much appreciated.
Catherine I know that dragon that rears its head…I saw it again this week as I was poised to fight it again…with help I have chosen to walk away and I am free…he will come again but I feel stronger to stand and walk away…your pictures are perfect as they bring light to that dark dragon's cave!
I am glad you have conquered your dragon, leaving you free to walk the countryside and capture these beautiful images.
Such beauty. Trust a dragon to rear his ugly head, but so glad you were brave and roared back.
take care,
Nina x
Tears in my eyes, Catherine…. This is a bit too close to home, I'm afraid. This was no triumph. I know what that feels like and now suddenly want to bawl like a baby…..
Poor you – you'll have to go to Wales where the dragons are much friendlier – and red! Hope the beastie's gone for good – you need some Strong Light now.
A great bit of writing CA… guess there are many dragons out there on our pathways… but you as alwasy seem to be able to melt them into submission….xx beautiful analogy… think we could use that more!
Perfect images for your words!
Your talents have no bounds, M'Lady… Blogger and Photographer par excellence, and now writer of stories. But was that a story, or was it real? Are there really dragons in Ireland? Yes, but yes, I do believe there are. I believe in dragons!
Lovely.. stay strong
I just happened across your blog via Sophie.
Thankyou for writing this