So today I have writing about motherhood, but it has turned into a monster post about young adults and emotions - and instead of editing I have been adding to it over the last few hours. So it's not ready for your eyes yet...When my brain feels full like this, I have to step away and do something else. Music doesn't help because I start listening too intently and ideas start filtering through.
I have always found reading to be really pleasurable and soothing.
Anyway I keep a collection of stories by Oscar Wilde by my bed. I've been reading some of his short stories this afternoon, to take my head away from parenting!!So I thought, why not share a passage from one of my favourite Oscar Wilde short stories, "The Nightingale and the Rose"? If you haven't read it, please do, it won't take long, and I think it is gorgeous. Here's a passage to whet your appetite.. 'Why is he weeping?' asked a little Green Lizard, as he ran past him with his tail in the air. 'Why, indeed?' said a Butterfly, who was fluttering about after a sunbeam. 'Why, indeed?' whispered a Daisy to his neighbour, in a soft, low voice. 'He is weeping for a red rose,' said the Nightingale. 'For a red rose!' they cried; 'how very ridiculous!' and the little Lizard, who was something of a cynic, laughed outright. But the Nightingale understood the secret of the Student's sorrow, and she sat silent in the oak-tree, and thought about the mystery of Love. Suddenly she spread her brown wings for flight, and soared into the air. She passed through the grove like a shadow, and like a shadow she sailed across the garden. In the centre of the grass-plot was standing a beautiful Rose-tree, and when she saw it, she flew over to it, and lit upon a spray. 'Give me a red rose,' she cried, 'and I will sing you my sweetest song.' But the Tree shook its head. 'My roses are white,' it answered, 'as white as the foam of the sea, and whiter than the snow upon the mountain. But go to my brother who grows round the old sun-dial, and perhaps he will give you what you want.' So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing round the old sundial. 'Give me a red rose,' she cried, 'and I will sing you my sweetest song.' But the Tree shook its head. 'My roses are yellow,' it answered; 'as yellow as the hair of the mermaiden who sits upon an amber throne, and yellower than the daffodil that blooms in the meadow before the mower comes with his scythe. But go to my brother who grows beneath the Student's window, and perhaps he will give you what you want.' So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing beneath the Student's window. 'Give me a red rose,' she cried, 'and I will sing you my sweetest song.' But the Tree shook its head. 'My roses are red,' it answered, 'as red as the feet of the dove, and redder than the great fans of coral that wave and wave in the ocean-cavern. But the winter has chilled my veins, and the frost has nipped my buds, and the storm has broken my branches, and I shall have no roses at all this year.' 'One red rose is all I want,' cried the Nightingale, 'only one red rose! Is there no way by which I can get it?' 'There is a way,' answered the Tree; 'but it is so terrible that I dare not tell it to you.' 'Tell it to me,' said the Nightingale, 'I am not afraid.'....I am tempted to keep typing it out...but if you're a romantic like me, you'll dig the story out...Off to get ready for a night out now - the second this week - party Parry is back! And so you know, I'll be posting on motherhood type issues this weekend. Hope you're having a lovely day x