by

Thirsty Moon

Thirsty Moon

In my fantasy world, the Thirsty Moon ushers in the last of the summer’s heat. Rain is scarce and rivulets run dry in sandy streambeds. Late season gardens thirst for a long steady shower after weeks of waterless weather.

It’s a time for pickling and  stacking wood, blackberries and swimming holes. And now and then, a morning chill slides down with the stars, promising warm pies from cider-scented orchards and hinting of autumn.

The full face of the Thirsty Moon shines tonight, August 18th.

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Excerpt from Thirsty Moon, Eye of Fire

The days ambled by, and Mirah’s garden transformed, weeds pulled in an ever-widening circle, beds edged, produce picked and preserved. She lugged water from the well, determined that her life would flourish, no longer choked by fear and loss. Her modest bounty she shared at the forge, delivering a basket now and then of just-picked greens. Brend smiled when he found her silhouetted in his doorway, her invitation hanging in the air between them.

At day’s end, she left him leaning on the doorjamb, arms crossed, watching her walk into the dusty lane. She strolled past her home, admiring her neighbor’s gardens, the round-bellied pumpkins and hard-shelled squash, bee balm and buttercup crowding each other for space in the sun.

Not long ago, Wyn told her that the myth of a person’s life entailed more than a compilation of facts, the particulars of one’s history. More importantly, one’s myth rose from the way a person was perceived by others and by what one believed about oneself. Myths were amorphous, changeable, imbued with feeling, rich with dreams and reflections. They could be altered by a change in perception or a change of heart.

Not ready for home, she climbed a narrow path to the meadow above Taran Leigh, a path she knew well, like the myth of her life. The air carried a hint of coolness, signaling the coming of fall. Pulling herself up over a stone stile at the top of a small rise, she paused, drawn from her reverie. The meadow unfolded before her, awash with blue dannies fluttering endlessly, delicate petals raised to the sun. The flowers filled her with memories as if they lingered there only for her to find.

When she stepped into the meadow, the petals closed around her, bearing her as if on a wave. Floating through them, she touched them with her fingertips, felt their soft kisses. In the center of the meadow, she surrendered her burdens, lay them down with her fear to be carried away with the flowers when the wind came. The graceful alder bent its branches, alone in the waterless sea. She gazed up at a sky as blue as the dannies and saw a glint of copper wings, a dragon coming for her.

Coming Next Week!

105 thoughts on “Thirsty Moon”

  1. Saloni says:
    August 28, 2016 at 11:01 am

    I believe that the kind of perfect picture that you create is impossible to let go of, long after I’m done reading! Profound imagery.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Julie Holmes, author says:
    August 22, 2016 at 5:17 am

    Gorgeous! Both the pics and the writing. Love the imagery, Diana! Thank you for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. mother wintermoon says:
    August 21, 2016 at 7:48 pm

    Fantastic imagery! You had me there every step of the way.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Damyanti Biswas says:
    August 21, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    Looking forward to the next one– I want to see the dragon!

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      August 22, 2016 at 5:44 am

      Thank you, Damyanti. The dragon aren’t your typical fire breathers but creatures of beauty and spirit. 🙂 They were wonderfully fun to write. Have a great week. Happy Writing and Reading!

      Like

  5. reocochran says:
    August 21, 2016 at 2:40 pm

    Oh my, Diana. I like your thirsty moon and especially liked Mirah. She has such an awareness of nature’s bounty and beauty surrounding her. I like how Brend looks at her, both in awe and in lust.
    This was a great tease for the portent of a dragon’s arrival! ❤
    It was a lovely setting for the reader to sink into and feel ready to be engulfed into your world. I am glad you emphasized"myths" in this short chapter of the continuing saga of myths in the mirror. It really had me focused and clear on the intent in your storytelling. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Teagan Geneviene says:
    August 20, 2016 at 9:56 am

    Such beautiful prose in this snippet, Diana. I love the way you described the petals closing around her. I could feel their softness. Lovely writing. Mega hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. A @ moylomenterprises says:
    August 20, 2016 at 7:06 am

    Lovely.
    Those images are delightful.
    They include my favorite combination of colors which can be found in my wardrobe. ☺

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Purpleanais says:
    August 20, 2016 at 6:37 am

    Wonderful write 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Anonymous says:
    August 20, 2016 at 6:25 am

    We indeed had a Thirsty Moon, here. I love the name and the myths of oneself. It resonates with me. A magical atmosphere of nature, vivid and dreamlike, and a dragon to escape with into another realm. Beautiful and delicate. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Lisa Lancaster says:
    August 20, 2016 at 4:50 am

    Wow. I was there while I read that. It was all consuming, I could smell the change in the air, feel the flowers on my fingertips. Just wonderful.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Marje @ Kyrosmagica says:
    August 20, 2016 at 12:24 am

    So lovely, really enjoyed reading this. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  12. dgkaye says:
    August 19, 2016 at 7:02 pm

    Gorgeous Diana. Your brilliant descriptions took me right into summers end and the meadow. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  13. sargondorsai says:
    August 19, 2016 at 5:21 pm

    Autumn has always been my favorite time of year and you’ve built a glorious gateway to the wonderful season. Well written and delightful, drawing me along the story.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      August 19, 2016 at 5:43 pm

      Thanks for the wonderful comment. I love the autumn colors and coolness. It’s a welcome change after the heat of summer. All the seasons offer something special and keep us connected to the Earth in profound ways. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • sargondorsai says:
        August 19, 2016 at 6:03 pm

        Here in Oregon we get to have one of those profound changes with the changing of the seasons. One of the reasons I love living here. That reminds me, I have a poem I should share about that changing seasons… now I just need to find it.

        Now where is that secret knot…

        Liked by 1 person

        • D. Wallace Peach says:
          August 19, 2016 at 6:08 pm

          Winters are a bit wimpy compared to VT, where I lived before, but I don’t mind not having to shovel snow!

          Liked by 1 person

          • sargondorsai says:
            August 19, 2016 at 6:13 pm

            I’ve spent most of my life in Oregon. By comparison, I’ve also lived in the Philippines and Hawaii. Given the choice, I still prefer the Pacific Northwest.

            I would still love the opportunity to have snow deep enough to have to shovel. We only get that every four years or so.

            Liked by 1 person

  14. Steven Baird says:
    August 19, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    I love your world, Diana. It’s so… well, magical and alluring, so full of wonder. Beautiful writing, as always. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Nicholas C. Rossis says:
    August 19, 2016 at 11:04 am

    Beautiful as always 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Erika Beebe says:
    August 19, 2016 at 5:23 am

    Beautiful writing!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. tedgiffin says:
    August 19, 2016 at 4:10 am

    The thirsty moon is definitely the one which marks my favorite time of year. Make a myth out of me! Best wishes, ted.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Annika Perry says:
    August 19, 2016 at 3:58 am

    Wow, Diana! Beautiful captivating writing – all the senses brought into play with your poetic-like piece. An extract that will stay with me. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. babbitman says:
    August 19, 2016 at 2:02 am

    So great to see that Mirah will be getting some happiness and release from fear and anguish. I’ve only got 20% of MotM to go and I’ve been hoping that she finds her Way again – looks like she will but in the new book. I should just about finish the 1st story as the sequels arrive, which is rather wonderful timing on your part! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  20. patriciaruthsusan says:
    August 19, 2016 at 1:22 am

    Beautiful, Diana. I could smell the flowers on the breeze. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

  21. balroop2013 says:
    August 18, 2016 at 8:46 pm

    Your world of fantasy is incredibly amazing! ‘Thirsty Moon’ is looking so splendid though. Last paragraph of this excerpt is really sensuous and captivating. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      August 19, 2016 at 6:44 am

      Thanks for the lovely comment, Balroop. ❤ I missed the full moon last night, but I caught it this morning. I'm so glad you enjoyed the passage. This character is a little older and trying to create a future that she'd given up on. She's not a main character, but I like her 🙂 Have a great weekend, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Lynz Real Cooking says:
    August 18, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    Beautiful in every way! I felt like I was there, floating!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. adeleulnais says:
    August 18, 2016 at 11:33 am

    Absolutely beautiful. I was there with her in the meadow.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Ocean Bream says:
    August 18, 2016 at 11:14 am

    Oooh, I love this. It seems like there are many chasing moons that signify different things, then! How lovely, to have such a clear indication of the changes in nature. I really enjoyed this read, Diana 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  25. nonsmokingladybug says:
    August 18, 2016 at 10:12 am

    “One’s myth rose from the way a person was perceived by others and by what one believed about oneself” Wise words, wise words my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Christy Birmingham says:
    August 18, 2016 at 10:01 am

    I feel swept up in the words of the excerpt! I am “thirsty” for more!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Khaya Ronkainen says:
    August 18, 2016 at 9:09 am

    What an alluring fantasy world you’ve created, Diana! The stunning pics complement the imagery you paint with your words. Simply delightful.
    And yes, summer is fading away this side too. But the joy of picking berries in the wild… 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Christina Steiner says:
    August 18, 2016 at 9:08 am

    Always a pleasure to read your prose. Images allure all senses.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Meg Sorick says:
    August 18, 2016 at 7:56 am

    A feast for all the senses, Diana! Swept away!

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Bernadette says:
    August 18, 2016 at 6:06 am

    Once again I am blown away by your talent. It would be so lovely to go to that field of flowers and lay down my troubles. Working with the moon tides today – canning tomatoes.

    Liked by 2 people

  31. vanbytheriver says:
    August 18, 2016 at 5:31 am

    The thirsty moon…wonderful. You have a way, Diana. ☺

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Morgan says:
    August 18, 2016 at 5:16 am

    Love this idea 🙂 Wonderful passage !

    Liked by 2 people

  33. Elisabet says:
    August 18, 2016 at 5:16 am

    Thank you, you make us thirst for more.

    Liked by 2 people

  34. Richard Ankers says:
    August 18, 2016 at 5:10 am

    Beautifully written, as always, Diana. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  35. The V Pub says:
    August 18, 2016 at 5:05 am

    “the petals closed around her”. Amazing imagery, Diana. Like the meadow had a collective consciousness and embraced her. You had me at blackberries. I love blackberries!

    Liked by 2 people

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