Thursday, April 29, 2010

The house with a soul.



In the small white house next door all is quiet again. Jackdaws nest in tangled twigs in the great chimney, as they have done every year. Sparrows make their home beneath shallow eaves. In the barn, a wren's nest, a ball of woven sticks and feather and moss. Swallows swoop, feathers like exotic blue sky jewels. They wait on the wire then drop into the old barns through open doorways that welcome them, as they have done every year. In the garden, around the well of clear water, lizards make nests of eggs. In the dark branches of blackthorn, bride white with blossoms, raucous magpies nest on a mess of sticks. More secret and hidden are the tidy nests of the pore voiced blackbirds who sing in Glyn's garden every morning, every evening.
At night badgers and foxes nose around through spaces that used to be rich in vegetables and owls glide over the midnight garden. Bats criss cross the yard in search of moths. Small and secret things scuttle through the darkest shadows while the moon paints the house in a silver light. Even the stones and wood and slate of the house, even the birds, animals, moth winged creatures, even the moonlight, the starlight, all are waiting. And the black and white cat?
He waits too.


The door to the well of sweet, clear water in Glyn's garden.
Honeysuckle grows over the top.

15 comments:

Noelle said...

How gorgeously poetic!
Love, Noelle xx

Jackie Morris said...

There is something about the way Nadolig waits with utter patience for Glyn's return that is quite heartbreaking. Yesterday it was so good and such a surprise to see the two of them standing in my garden, Nadolig smiling in Glyn's arms.
The cat is very good at looking after himself and seems to have managed to get himself about 4 meals a ady as my neighbour didn't realise he was being fed here also. But food is not enough for this rare litle creature. He stays here and waits for Glyn to come home.
Yesterday he followed me everywhere once Glyn had gone, as if I could make him come back.
I keep thinking, soon, soon he will be back. It is almost summer now. And it would seem that his team of carers are going to help hm organizegetting grants and help to re-roof the house. I hope so.
More than a house, this cottage is a reminder of what houses were like before they became investments, when they were homes. And it will be good to see Glyn back home.

Emerald Window said...

Sweet Nadolig. I'm giving you a hug and a belly scratch from across the Atlantic.

Kelly Rhoades said...

Nadolig and Glyn really pull at my heart strings.

Angel Simba said...

I think it is wonderful that you have a system where Glyn can be cared for during the winter, and when he is not well, without having to be permanently put in a home. In our country it is pretty much a one-way street into a nursing home. And the hoe of returning home can make such a difference to an elderly person.

Lovely poetic words about the house.

Goldie, Shade and Banshee said...

Lovely. We are so happy that the two *old souls* are reunited.

Anonymous said...

Yesterday our hearts soared with the good news that Glyn was home (if only for a short while) and could spend time with his beloved Nadolig.
Today his little cottage reflects the quiet absence that his presence leaves behind. My dearest wish is that he will be home soon warmed by the love (and purrs) that only Nadolig can provide. God speed Mr. Griffiths.

Val said...

We are sending good thoughts across the mountains and the ocean to you all

Val said...

I'm right there at the cottage when I read this wondrous description. What a faithful little cat Nadolig is and how kind of you (and everyone else) to take such good care of him. This whole situation is almost unbearably poignant.

Morning's Minion said...

Such a blending of happiniess and wistfullness. I can see the house and garden, decaying gently, but full of renewal in the spring sunshine. Nadolig is a rare creature, but aren't they all wiser and more attached to their humans than some folks would credit.

Shammickite said...

A beautiful cottage and a faithful cat. The scene reminds me of my childhood in N Devon.

Lydia said...

So beautifully written that my eyes filled with tears and my heart yearns for the two of them to be graced with Time together nearly as much as they wish it. I could die reading, ". . . Nadolig smiling in Glyn's arms." What love, what devotion.

Anonymous said...

Had to smile at Nadolig's four meals per day. He certainly is a resourceful chap - most significantly when he managed to find himself a loving home with Mr Griffiths. May they both be reunited (permanently) soon. xx

Ikaika said...

We are sending our purrs and positive thoughts for the permanent reunion of Glyn and dear Nadolig in the house with a soul. We so look forward to reading that post!

'Kaika and his mom

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

How beautiful photos!