Welcome to the Land of the Crystal Caves

Welcome to the Land of the Crystal Caves. In my last post, The Making of the Cosmic Love Muffins, I promised a story about the Land of the Crystal Caves. Here is the first installment. and since it’s Poetry Friday, there’s a poem, too. Thanks to my friend (and gifted artist/poet/writer) Michelle Kogan for hosting this week!

I had hoped to have some artwork to include here, but a few sketches will have to do.

I first visited the Land of the Crystal Caves when I left my teaching job of almost 20 years. Saying good-bye to the children was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. And I told them that I was off to this magical land to bring back stories. And finally, here they come.

The poem:

Come with me in my silver boat

To a place across the waves

Come with me to that magical place

The Land of the Crystal Caves.

The sea of dreams is dark and wide

But there’s nothing to fear

Close your eyes and ride the tide

While I hold you so near

My dear

While I hold you so near

When you hear the leaves tinkling in the breeze

You’ll know we’ve arrived

In a place that glows, where wonder flows

Where magic and story thrive.

So take my hand, my darling friend

And together we’ll explore

This land of mystery and delight

And we’ll wander never more

From this shore

We’ll wander never more.

 

Welcome to the Land of the Crystal Caves

The journey

Far beyond the Sea of Dreams lies the Land of Crystal Caves. In the olden days, it was a place of great beauty and magic. The breezes tinkled through the leaves of the crystal trees, and hidden among the hills were multitudes of caves lined with sparkly crystals that glowed from within. These caves contained many wondrous creatures who required no nourishment beyond the love of the Earth’s children—and the grown-ups who held on to their child-like wonder.

But, sadly, many of the Earth children forgot about the Land of Crystal Caves. They no longer believed in fairies or gnomes or any kind of magic. Perhaps they were too busy watching cartoons or playing games on their computers. Or perhaps their parents taught them this nonsense. Many adults did not even remember the magic.

For whatever reason, the children forgot. And the light started to fade from the crystal caves. Some even began to crumble. But there were a few who remembered and wanted to save the Land and the magical creatures who dwelt there. One of them called herself the Wondermonger.

With courage, hope, and, of course, wonder in her heart, she set off for the land of crystal caves. It’s not hard to get there. She just had to close their eyes and picture it in her mind. Then when she opened their eyes, there she was.

The welcome

And she found herself surrounded by many of the beings who lived there. Strange and colorful, they greeted her.

“Welcome! Welcome!” they sang. Some voices sounded like bells tinkling or fairies singing while others sounded like bullfrogs or creaky gates, but they all sounded happy to see her.

The Wondermonger embraced them all one by one, then asked how she could help.

“Bring back our stories to the Earth children,” they said as one. “Bring some of us back with you so we can tell our stories and share our secrets.”

“I will be happy to bring back your stories,” said the Wondermonger. “But in our world, you have no physical form. No one would be able to see you.”

The journey continues

Then they sent the Wondermonger to the Amethyst cave—to the pond where Bigfish lived. Bigfish was one of the elders of this Land. And she was very wise.

“She will know what to do,” the others promised.

More of the story to come—

But that’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by.

xoxo