On Blackbirds' Wings

Thank you, friends, for your kind words of condolence regarding our dear, departed Wilberforce.  It was important to me to share the joy of his life, so, in a way, you may carry a bit of him with you, as well.  He truly was a gift from God.


Today's post was a response to my daughter, Gracie's fear of Halloween.  She recently told me she didn't want to celebrate Halloween because it was just too scary.  Though we don't subscribe to the gore that has become the trend, she was hesitant to even go into stores this time of year, lest she be accosted by an errant head or shrieking skeletons!

I created the Raven-Drawn Carriage after Grace went to bed last night.

I was inspired by the carriage to write this poem for Gracie as she slept in her bed this morning.

Without further ado...

 On Blackbirds' Wings

Mommy, I’m frightened of Halloween

The spooks haunt my days

And enter my dreams!

My darling child

There is nothing to fear!

No need to be frightened

At this time of year

It is not quite as scary

As you believe

You see, love is the reason

For All Hallow’s Eve

To honor the memory

Of those who have passed

To make certain the bonds

They have forged still hold fast

I place my child

To sleep in her bed

A glowing light above her head

Her dreams turn to thoughts

Of Halloween

Of bumps in the night

And things unseen

Then, a loving hand guides her

To a magical scene!

Of pumpkins and carriages

Blackbirds on wing!

The carriage awaits...

The child arrives

Once she’s in safely

It takes to the skies!

Silken black feathers

In unison fly

To carry the child through a black, starry sky

Each star, the light of a loved one, since passed

So grateful to finally meet you at last!

The glow of the starlight sparks in your heart

Warm with wisdom of which you’re now a part

Upon the horizon

The light of the dawn

A new day awaiting

It’s time to move on

Wake in the morning

Sun on your face

Pluck your costume from its place

Pull the ensemble over your head

When something wafts and alights on your bed

And pulls you back to

The edge of a dream

The silken feather

Of a blackbird’s wing...

What dreams are made of...I created the Raven-Drawn Carriage with bits of ormolu that I have collected.  The concept had been floating around my head for a while.

Marie never left the sunroom this year.  Perhaps next year she will stand watch over the parterre or the potager?  I considered using a white pumpkin but since I made this for my daughter I wanted it to be more "of the Season", something a child would relate to and, perhaps, dream about.  Initially, I had planned on using a real pumpkin but came to my senses and realized I only wanted to do this once!  In retrospect, a real pumpkin would be too heavy for the chassis, fabricated of dowel rods.

Detail of the Raven-Drawn Carriage.  Escutcheon keyhole covers for windows, ormolu as door and rein attachment.  Drapery tiebacks as wheels.  The angels were taken from a 1960's lamp table that I bought on Craigslist.  The table was hideous but the ormolu was heart stopping!  You may recognize the angels on the table beneath the carriage as well.

I added the ostrich plumes for a bid more grandeur.  See where I glued the tiebacks together?  This was a fairly simple project! I purchased the foam pumpkin at Target, under the assumption it was hollow and could be carved.  I was wrong.  It would have been nice to have a candle inside.  Oh well!

Crown detail...actually a candleholder from Wisteria.

Blackbirds take flight...

To the land of dreams...Did you know a group of crows is called a "murder"?  A murder of crows...spooky!

Onward!

Another angle...the chassis was the most challenging part of this endeavor. I actually had all the parts in the basement, including the dowels.  I used wire and screws to fasten them together. I painted long dowel rods with bronze paint, then drilled holes to wire the birds through.  They came with wire attached to their feet. I screwed a brace at the base of the dowel rods to the birds would remain upright, then wired it at an angle to the chassis so it looked as if the birds were in flight.

After I read the poem to Gracie and showed her the Raven-Drawn carriage that I made while she slept last night, she told me she could imagine herself in the carriage being drawn by blackbirds.  It is precisely what I wished for!

I hope I have changed the face of Halloween for Gracie.

xo

Andie

I am participating in Boogieboard Cottage,  Masterpiece Monday

No Minimalist Here, Open House Party

Between Naps on the Porch, Metamorphosis Monday

A Stroll Thru Life, Tabletop Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style, Wow Us Wednesdays

French Country Cottage, Feathered Nest Friday