Ïnterlude #2

Whatever they put into the bloodstream to shut you down, I want more of it. Damn me, I had a good sleep!

Of course, I lost my voice, as I tend to do once a year or so, so the first try failed. I got another appointment and this time it did work. Apparently I slept for quite a long time, and definitely longer than expected. So now tissue samples are sent off to see if I'm in the risk of developing cancer. Everyone but me is worried, it seems, but if I worry, I'll just feel stressed.

So I slept long and well yesterday, and then was tired again in the evening, and got up earlier than is my habit. I do love being up early especially in summertime, but what with my regular hours of training, and my need for around eight hours of sleep, it's often hard to get up before nine in the morning.

And that's that, I guess. I had a great Medieval Week, possibly the best or at least one of the two best (last year being the other one) yet, and no surprise as it was the thirtieth anniversary, and I had great friends there, a surprise visit that extended several days, lovely weather, gorgeous clothes, great concerts and... so on. I'm trying to enjoy the late summer and not worry about autumn and winter, I hope I won't go down as I did last year. Feels a bit odd not to be at the Lilla Lugnet resort this weekend, but the organisers decided that two years in a row was enough. There's going to be a steampunk convention instead later this autumn.

Also this means it's over a year since a proverbial hammer shattered my sanity and it took quiiite a while rebuilding that. Gods I feel a lot better now. More myself and better in my way of dealing with people around me. No holds, no bindings, no fetters, not ever again.

Lost the friends that I needed losing, found others on the way...
...but I still remember the way home.

"From the low white walls and the church's steeple,
From our little fields under grass or grain,
I'm gone away to the fairy people
I shall not come to the town again.

You may see a girl with my face and tresses,
You may see one come to my mother's door
Who may speak my words and may wear my dresses.
She will not be I, for I come no more.

I am gone, gone far, with the fairies roaming,
You may ask of me where the herons are
In the open marsh when the snipe are homing,
Or when no moon lights nor a single star.

On stormy nights when the streams are foaming
And a hint may come of my haunts afar,
With the reeds my floor and my roof the gloaming,
But I come no more to Ballynar.

Ask Father Ryan to read no verses
To call me back, for I am this day
From blessings far, and beyond curses.
No heaven shines where we ride away.     
      
At speed unthought of in all your stables,
With the gods of old and the sons of Finn,
With the queens that reigned in the olden fables
And kings that won what a sword can win.

You may hear us streaming above your gables
On nights as still as a planet's spin;
But never stir from your chairs and tables
To call my name.  I shall not come in.     
      
For I am gone to the fairy people.
Make the most of that other child
Who prays with you by the village steeple
I am gone away to the woods and wild.    
       
I am gone away to the open spaces,
And whither riding no man may tell;
But I shall look upon all your faces
No more in Heaven or Earth or Hell."

Lord Dunsany, "The Fairy Child"