The garden

As I walk up the crumbling tarmac drive, the frosty morning chill rushes up from the north like an Arctic Skua coming in to nest.

The early day smells come wafting around my nose, entangling it in a bundle of rose pollen and dew-smothered grass. Turning to the right to escape the overpowering sea of smells, I notice for the first time the towering fern dominating the landscape. Its delicate leaves spread over the squirrel-trodden ground like feathers. Behind it, glinting with dew, lies an overgrown huddle of spiny bushes reaching like tentacles over the rotten fence. Situated to its left, is a pillar-like tree pointing proudly towards the sun. In the middle of the tree rests a large hole and I half expect a midnight-black woodpecker to come flying through the undergrowth towards it at any moment.

The search

Long we have searched these high mountain tops covered in snow,

While the wind is strong and currents are slow;

High peaks rest here among the domes,

In what is now our icy home.

Through rough and calm we’ve endured long on our own,

Impatient for the time that goes,

And for how long can only the watchers know,

To wait, to search, to find the hope.

Moonrise. Chapter 1.

The faint murmur of rustling leaves ran through the forest like an arrow as Goldenfur raced through the trees to Barchwood Willow.

The sound of voices suddenly filled the air as she neared the ancient patterned door. The door was open slightly on a hinge and a bluster of noise poured out of the room. Goldenfur slowly took a step forward towards the door before turning, looking back at the forest behind her, then strolling in. It was like walking into a firework display and sound was everywhere. Goldenfur quickly reacted and folded over her long rabbit ears to defend them from the noise. Just at that moment a clap rang out through the crowd of animals and all was immediately quiet.

The sea

The sea is what it wants to be: a calm friend, a hungry wolf.

For the sea has power beyond us that we can only dream.

The sea can be a howling lonely scavenger or a joyful happy pup,

But whatever it is, it is a powerful force.