The Story of my Blog Title

Quilt of Dragonflies- My blog is named that for a reason.I am lucky enough to own a genuine Quilt of Dragonflies, which I am sure brings me good dreams when I sleep beneath it. It was given to me by a friend of my mother's, who handmade the entire thing. Color meets pattern in this fantastic piece of artwork which sits on my bed. Brilliant shades of purple, blue, and green intersperse with tie dye dragonflies. I will not hesitate to call it my inspiration.







Monday, November 7, 2011

Write on Wednesdays: Making Fire

This week, the WoW prompt was the words "We are learning to make fire." It was another five minute timed exercise, which I usually enjoy but I had a little trouble with this one. Wasn't really sure what to write about, though I think this came out fine in the end. Well, here you are:




We are learning to make fire. Slowly, grinding the skin of the earth into flakes. Filling the bowl of dirt with golden flames. Shards of the old life will drift skyward with the ashes. Lighter and lighter, faster and farther they fly up. I watch them lifted by the breeze, up into the bowl horizon, the clouds of grey dreams sitting low over the land.

The fire will burn steadily, the warmth inside us will rekindle the joy of long ago. Primal spirits drift in the wind, whipping this way and that, twining through my hair. The dancing flames will lick the sides of the bowl, happily nipping fingers and pieces of wood. The ashen sky reflects the ruby of the fire. Soon it will be the inky indigo of twilight, then the residual blackness of night. For now, it stays grey and silent. It does not answer the calls of the fire, which crackles merrily and longs for a playmate. Just like a little child, dancing in the breezes, chasing the leaves which float eerily around it.

 I watch the fire begin to die. In one night, the cycle of a lifetime. The fire is old and creaky, longing to take its last rattling breath and ascend to new adventures. I pour sand over the fire, dousing its misery. We have learned to make fire, and fire has learned how to live.


16 comments:

  1. This is really great. That last line is perfect.

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  2. Great analogy between life and fire :)

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  3. The imagery in this piece was captivating. Awesome job!!!

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  4. Thanks to all of you! Nicole, thank you for commenting, as I have never seen you on my blog before. I read in your profile that you are a homeschooling mom. I am actually being home schooled this year, so I think that is awesome!

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  5. How dreamy, beautiful imagery, great piece Claire. "primal spirits drift in the wind' - lovely.
    Kate

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  6. I adore your piece. For some reason, the movie Dances With Wolves came to my mind. Especially the scene where Kevin Costner is dancing with the fire.
    Beautiful imagery.

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  7. I love the mixing of metaphor with actual fire. I could almost smell the smoke and crackling wood. Very cool :)

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  8. Well done! The words seemed to undulate on the page (er, screen). This had a poetic feel to it. Wistful.

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  9. The last line is indeed perfect -- but so is everything else. I cannot pick a favourite line because if I did I would have to quote your entire piece. The descriptions are poetic in the extreme without sounding cheesy at all; the tranquillity of the scene transcends the words and invades the reader's mind; and every image is so vivid --in spite of the poetic style!-- that it is impossible not to imagine every single object, every sensation, every instant of the wonderful cycle of fire.

    A true pleasure to read, Claire.

    / Rain

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  10. Wow - you took me to another place. It was peaceful and beautiful.

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  11. A very interesting piece with the imagery thats suggested, you truly carried across that sense of spiritualism.

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  12. I agree with Stephanie! This reminds me of Dances with Wolves, the fire dance song, naturally . . . very eloquent and beautiful!

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  13. Thanks guys. Your words inspire me to write every time I look at my blog. I know that I have the tendancy to write more poetic pieces and steer away from thick plot, but that it just because I write primarily poetry. Again, thanks for making my day every time you comment on my work!

    Claire

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  14. Ooooh, I loved this! Beautiful writing and vivid imagery, plus a calming, soothing theme. You captured the essence of fire in this piece...I really enjoyed it

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  15. Have added a link to this on the Ink Paper Pen Facebook Page...It was one of my favorite pieces this week

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ink-Paper-Pens-Online-Writing-Group/140664256012821

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  16. Beautiful, love the clouds of grey dreams line.

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Thanks so much for reading my piece. I am always looking for inspiring words, suggestions, and feelings you got from reading this. Please leave your thoughts here.