Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Invitation


The Invitation

Just this week, my invitation arrived.   
On the somersault of a zephyr, it sailed through my bedroom window - tickling Edward’s nose as it passed - to land in my hands with the softness of grace.
Hardly believing my luck, lost in anticipation, I held it awhile before opening - running my forefinger along the ruby red ink of my very own name, emblazoned upon the papyrus.  
Finally, I slid my finger under the seal and it opened.  
One thousand yellow butterflies flew up in the air and I knew it was actually true.
I sent my acceptance on that very day and here I now sit, hands folded, waiting for the performance to commence, waiting for the 22nd.

At present the stage hands are busy. Ripping down the humid curtains, sweeping out the sand.  The air in this old theatre fairly crackles with joy as I wait, and I watch, for her entrance.
I catch a glimpse of her every now and then. 
 See, there she is.
Oh, you can’t see her?  Here, take my hand.  Now look....
over here, no a little more to the left... now, can you make her out? 
 Just behind the velvet curtain, just off stage, pacing to and fro... make-up artists running along behind her, adding a bit of extra colour here and there.  Hair-dressers trying to tame her wild hair, wardrobe mavens pinning one more golden maple leaf to her russet coloured gown.
Can you hear the orchestra tuning up as I speak?  
The sonatas and fugues on the whip of a wind. 
The crackles of hearthsides, the hoot of an owl.

As I sit here, a sweetness, a gratitude runs through my soul. 
 So happy am I to once again be included, to once again nestle down in a familiar front row seat, once more to witness this splendour, this beauty, of autumn.
Open your windows.
Your invitation is coming, if not already here.

39 comments:

  1. This is utterly perfect, Pamela.

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  2. After reading this beautiful description of the invitation's arrival, I'll be anxiously checking my mail. Very nice, Pamela

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  3. YES! Mine arrived just the other day with a cool day of rain to nourish the parched forest and the need to collect kindling and build a fire..... Woodsmoke in the air in these hills, times of introspection and poetry, and of bears drunk on fermenting apples, no, really!

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  4. Mine arrived just the other day. I'd been waiting for it to come and then, just when I least expected it, there it was. The apples are falling and the asters are starting to bud. All is forgiven for this mercurial summer and the anticipation of the next act has commenced.

    Such a lovely post. You bring the best out in us.

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  5. My invitation has arrived Pamela ~ but it is to another performance~ spectacular & beautiful in every way ~ it is performing in another theatre of life with a pretty title "Le Printemps" I anxiously awaited it's arrival and with a soft waft of lilac perfume it presented the first act ~ roses bluebells peach buds wisteria and snow pears blossoms. We are both very blessed.
    ~Dianne~

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  6. I feel the same. You put it so well.

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  7. Drought. Heat. Humidity. Still here.

    Thank you for reminding me my invitation arrives soon.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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  8. We have our invitation, - it was delivered by an Autumn Sprite, carrying an umbrella, quite nonchalantly,through the last of the summer rains.

    A lovely post Pamela...

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  9. My favorite seasons are, in order, spring, fall, summer, and winter, only winter isn't really on the list, if you know what i mean. My favorite holiday, though, is Halloween because I like the symbolism and the colors of the decorations.

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  10. Your writing is fantastic and so magic ! I really enjoy reading it.

    xo
    Anci

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  11. Automne is here and with it the need to wear a sweater on the early morning walk. Guess that Edward must be every bit as happy as you with the arrival of fresher days.

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  12. Such a beautiful piece of writing Pamela. Something I have never forgotten is a wonderful performance of Romeo and Juliet by final year students at the Centre For the Performing Arts in my city.The lighting, props, costumes, the set, all in rich velvet and autumn tonings, with actual bare birch trees installed on the stage, adding a stunning touch. Your writing bought it back to me. Your description has such rich tones also.
    Here in South Australia it seems our invitation to Spring is being withheld. Simply running late,caught up in seasonal confusion, but we look forward to the invitation nevertheless.

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  13. I am awaiting it, too. With great anticipation--all the more now that I read this...xoxo to Edward from Giulia. From me (Susan) to you both.

    Cheers. I admire your perspective.

    PS: As I walked home from a "sleep clnic" (to get some sleep now at home:), I picked up a lovely red maple leaf in my path. A most welcome sign.

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  14. applause! and soon the standing ovation from a very packed house according to the word in blogland :)

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  15. The curtain just rose in New England too...I can see the colors tuning up in the tree orchestra...my favorite time of year...

    This is such a beautiful ode to September Pamela:)

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  16. Oh, I look forward to the invitation to autumn every year! Thanks so much for this beautiful post, it made my day!

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  17. She insisted that I put on a woolly jumper just this morning. But, like you, I welcome her with open arms.

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  18. As I left the house this morning, wamer jacket shrugged on and toes warm inside shoes instead of summer sandals, copper coloured leaves from a nearby tree were blowing up the driveway under my feet - a perfect invitation to the start of the new season.

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  19. My invitation must be late, but no matter, we are making the most of warm days and blue skies. No doubt Autumn will be here with gusto soon enough.

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  20. your poety is beautiful Pamela. You are truly a gifted and special writer...I am glad to be one of your fans.

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  21. Another beautiful post, Pamela - I've got my windows wide open and am waiting with anticipation :o)
    Judie

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  22. Dear Pamela, What a perfect description of the onset of Autumn. The invitations and acceptance letters have been posted a while now in both London and Budapest. I do so love this season!!

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  23. Nothing like those early signs....cool floors in the morning that say 'slippers', late afternoon sun to warm quiet corners around the house and my favourite....when the candles come out and the fragrance wraps around you and says....I am here :)

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  24. How wonderful Pamela.. you paint such a wonderful portrait of autumn I almost wish for it myself... I'm anxiously awaiting spring to get into full gear here... but I suspect after your hot summer.. and ours that will surely blister... I will feel as you do in a few short months..

    have a lovely week welcoming autumn back to your life. xxx Julie

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  25. what a lovely introduction to autumn via invitation, i like thatpamela.

    still waiting in chicago, anxiously
    fondly
    debra

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  26. Oh Pamela,
    I cannot express in words how wonderful that piece of writing was. I don't know why but it touched my heart and bought tears to my eyes. It wasn't sad but there was something about it. Perhaps it is because I just love the Autumn... I don't know. It gave me the feeling that I get on New Years Eve.... that magical and yet slightly strange feeling.....anyway,lets not analyse it any further.... it was beautiful. XXZXX

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  27. We await the arrival of autumn...this little spill of magical words makes it seem almost inviting...autumn, for me, is the saddest season...with all its dying away of summer joys.

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  28. Hi Pamela! I finally got my nose out of my post and am coming up for some fresh bloggy air. I finally was able to open my windows and my doors! I wonder if you are near by. I'm in Winston-Salem.
    Best,
    Liz

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  29. Yes you can feel it in the morning mist and the evening air is cooler ...the colours are yet to catch up though....your words as ever are absolutely beautiful....xx

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  30. Mine is caught up somewhere on a drooping, crisp-leaved tree, still awaiting raindrops to wash away another 90 degrees.

    My boots stand at the ready, polished to a gleam......my new scarf with tumbling flowers, woolly socks, and cozy long sleeved sweaters are ready to jump from the closet.

    Loved your words, meanwhile I'm trying to be patient.

    My little booth - with friend Vanessa - is now open and I'm treasure hunting even in my dreams. My cottage is freshly painted, completed just today after two very long weeks of men in white pounding and brushing all around. Tomorrow I'll be putting my porch back together with pretties to welcome Autumn.

    Here's to cooler days and night chills!
    Hugs - Mary

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  31. Our invitation to Spring arrived today as the sun peeped out from behind the clouds for the first time in weeks and weeks and weeks! She peeped out, she decided to stay, how beautiful. Bit Jack Frost is back again tonight!

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  32. Well, we've had a few days with a message in the stiff breeze but still with some brightness and blue skies!

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  33. I loved this writing Pamela! Autumn is my very favorite season, so the very thought of her arrival is an invitation to the party of beautiful color...can't wait!

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  34. Autumn is a diva? That fits :) But a beautiful one. I await her golden-tinged beauty.

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  35. Ohhhh..so beautiful and perfectly written Pamela. You are so right, although my invitation reads a bit differently than yours, you can feel Autumns presence. The nights are dipping into the 70's and the days are hot but not chocking. I've said it before but I so love how you admire all seasons.

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  36. Simply splendid! I can always count on you to put into words exactly the fanciful things that fleet across my mind. I think my invitation is still in the mail....it was 94 degrees today, but if the burgundy tips on the boston ivy is any indication, I am expecting it to fall through my mail slot shortly.

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  37. What a marvellous post - happily I also have my invitation to the performance. So far only the minor characters are on stage but soon the star of the show will arrive and carry us all away with her artistry.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!