"Preparatifs du mariage de la fille du cherif a Tangier" by Jose Tapiro y Boera (1830-1913) from the book Broderies Marocaines by Isabelle Denamur.
For the inaugural prompt at Writers Island, prose suggesting "an imaginery life:"
In an imaginery life, I am a singer with an astonishing vocal range like Umm Kalthoum. My voice sweeps high above the plantiff chords of the oud and the driving beat of the drum. The poignant lyrics make grown men weep with memories of times past and invoke intense emotions of longing and regret amongst all my listeners. Kings and presidents come to my performances and issue intriguing invitations.
But I choose to live simply in a small villa by the sea, where I spend my time practicing music and preparing for my next performance. Men come to call bearing dazzling jewels, delicate silks and extraordinary gifts, promising their undying passion. Yet my heart belongs to one with twinkling blue eyes in a foreign land. To lessen the pain of his absence, I take long walks by the sea, imagining our reunion. Such pent-up emotion is released in my performance each night. Then I return home to dream of his return.
In a heartbeat I'd trade it all - the fame, the jewels, the dinars - for a peaceful life singing only to the man I love. He is my destiny, long-ago written in the stars. And all the storm-tossed seas and strong winds swirling around us can't diminish that truth. Someday we will be together and my joyous heart will give thanks to the heavens. Until then, I sing for you.
WOW. Your imaginary life is so much more exotic and glamorous than mine! ;)
Posted by: Marilyn | 13 September 2007 at 12:02
Strong. Very well said. I like your imagination a lot.
Posted by: Rethabile | 13 September 2007 at 09:29
ah, that was lovely! "he is my destiny, long-ago written in the stars" - so romantic. thank you for this.
Posted by: odessa | 13 September 2007 at 08:11
Amazing.. Just amazing, like swooping me off on a cloud.. feeling every word.. putting on her shoes, for just one day...
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | 13 September 2007 at 01:44
Your words take me to an exotic world where words & images play a fantastic symphony...:-)
Arch
Posted by: Arch | 12 September 2007 at 15:42
To also read that your husband is away in China makes this post especially poignant. It is so important to keep singing even when the loved one is afar. Thanks for your song!
Posted by: Matthew | 12 September 2007 at 15:20
You certainly know how to paint a picture with words! Lush, gorgeous and seductive. And you chose the perfect painting to go with your words.
Posted by: Janet | 12 September 2007 at 14:52
Sounds like the villa next to mine. :)
Posted by: Brian | 12 September 2007 at 13:56
This is such lovely, lyrical prose, Tara! What a beautiful imaginary life - I can almost hear the music...
Posted by: tinker | 12 September 2007 at 08:31
I had no problems imagining this right in front of my eyes... beautiful!
J
Posted by: Jo | 12 September 2007 at 08:23
So beautiful and romantic -- wonderful imagery too. I got teary-eyed reading this.
:)
Posted by: Clare | 12 September 2007 at 05:54
That is a beautiful dream. Your words and that gorgeous painting are a perfect match!
Posted by: Herb | 12 September 2007 at 05:28
The combination of your written words and the illustration are amazing.
You have a very very romantic soul.
Thanks for stopping by
Posted by: Frances | 12 September 2007 at 05:17
I don't know if I can possibly add anything here. Beautiful image and the written word is spectacular.
I can't possibly check the blogs that I want to see each day. I've missed so much here but,.......
Posted by: Karen Cole | 12 September 2007 at 03:28
Rich and colourful. I love that you have all the fame and fortune, but would trade it for love and the simple life any day. Just love the pic.
Posted by: Patti | 12 September 2007 at 02:36
ahhhhhhhhhhhh
dance and sing with me my lovely Muse...
you know where my soul doth dwell and swell
I am tossing cascades of white roses
to your eternal flame
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | 12 September 2007 at 01:31
What a wonderfully exotic and rich imaginary life. I love it!
Posted by: Imelda / Greenishlady | 12 September 2007 at 00:41
"Men come to call bearing dazzling jewels, delicate silks and extraordinary gifts, promising their undying passion." Can you please pass some of them along to me?
Seriously this was a beautiful piece rich in language and imagery.
Posted by: Michelle | 11 September 2007 at 23:53
Dear friend, You took me into fairytale land especially pairing the image above with your enchanting words! That man is a fool if he doesn't rush to you right now :)
Posted by: Alex | 11 September 2007 at 23:27
OMG, Tara, this is lush and decadent--today's island, the food, the pictures--je plene (I have forgotten most of my French, am I saying I am full, or I am pregnant?) I am always filled by your posts! (I am NOT pregnant.)
Posted by: pepektheassassin | 11 September 2007 at 22:59
Beeeautiful art, here. And I did not know you wished you were such a singer. Do you sing? I bet you do. So many talents you have.
;)
Posted by: Amber | 11 September 2007 at 20:38
oh... you have extraordinary gifts and vision. I love the sea and find it a great place for dreaming and writing. Beautiful work.Lovely words and images. Tangier..a magic place. Great Print.
love-bd
Posted by: Melanie-bd | 11 September 2007 at 20:07
he is my destiny long ago written in the stars
yessssssssss - i know exactly:)
and....your words sing
and that painting oh my goodness - i LOVE it!
Posted by: maddie | 11 September 2007 at 19:55
That classic painting is gorgeous. It totally suited your beautiful post. To go back in time to the romantic past, fo love... that is simply wonderful.
Posted by: joezul | 11 September 2007 at 19:11
Absolutely Lovely! And so well paired with the painting. It is as if you went inside the mind of the woman being made up. Her left hand looks as if it is inching slowly backward, as if reaching for something left behind. It fits so well with a far away lover. Well done! What a joy to read!
Posted by: Ashley Lyn | 11 September 2007 at 18:51
Absolutely Lovely! And so well paired with the painting. It is as if you went inside the mind of the woman being made up. Her left hand looks as if it is inching slowly backward, as if reaching for something left behind. It fits so well with a far away lover. Well done! What a joy to read!
Posted by: Ashley Lyn | 11 September 2007 at 18:49
I thought I posted a comment but it disappeared. Your piece is as lovely as the painting that illustrates it. Well done. And thanks for stopping by! Jo
Posted by: jo | 11 September 2007 at 18:48
As lovely as the painting that illustrates it. Well done.
Posted by: jo | 11 September 2007 at 18:47
What a lovely dream to escape to. Wonderful post.
Posted by: lissa | 11 September 2007 at 18:46
Tara -
What an absolutely sumptuous post... rich, exotic, sensuous... I really floated with this one! ;)
Thank you for coming on the inaugural cruise to Writers Island (Writer's... for you), and for a splendid gift you brought to share. My gratitude...
Hope you will be an island 'native'.
Posted by: Rob Kistner | 11 September 2007 at 18:46
Imagine that there is no imagination. I wonder if you can .
Posted by: Paul | 11 September 2007 at 18:45
I could totally see you living that life Tara. Someone is missing hubby. :) BIG HUG from China. :)
Posted by: Tammy | 11 September 2007 at 18:45
Beautiful words and images... I imagine the post you will write when your destiny arrives... and you tell us and the stars...
Posted by: Lea | 11 September 2007 at 18:24
Oum Kalthoum...that name says it all...she made grown men weep with her voice. I heart that name many times in my childhood!!
The photo is incredibly rich. And your imaginary life -- perfect! xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 11 September 2007 at 18:22
A beautiful imagining, romantic and artistic with wonderful use of words.
Posted by: Tumblewords | 11 September 2007 at 18:00
This painting so rich, multi layered, where to look next....your story, just as rich...
Posted by: stephanie | 11 September 2007 at 17:48
Tara,
What a beautiful inaugral piece; Both Painting and Prose. Each depicts an imaginary dreamlike state which could easily become real!
rel
Posted by: rel | 11 September 2007 at 17:22
in this scene which one would be you?
i think
that i would be the one arranging the flowers,
never still, always working...
:-)
Posted by: somepinkflowers | 11 September 2007 at 16:56
Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Redness | 11 September 2007 at 16:12
stunning words and evocative art... thank you
Posted by: paisley | 11 September 2007 at 15:49
Isn't that painting gorgeous? All that rich tapestry and the focus is on making up the eye. The dark space surrounding the lifted sleeve and the brush an arrow. The mirror that doesn't reflect.
And your romantic fantasy pairs well with it. What a set-up!
(I want to see the painting in person--wouldn't that be a treat!)
Posted by: ...deb | 11 September 2007 at 15:43
Oh, how romantic! I love that she walks by the sea, as if his eyes are in that deepest and bluest of waters...
What a lovely imagined life...
xo
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 11 September 2007 at 15:33
Sooooooooooooooooooo beautiful Tara!!!! Your story is like a painting! I can see its colours floating as you sing.
You need to publish that. Written and illustrated. To keep it like a dream.
Posted by: Caty | 11 September 2007 at 15:29
Divine! I was swept away to a far off land and another time with this Tara. Loved it! The picture you chose is stunning, and it compliments your prose perfectly. Well done on the inaugural piece, Ms.B!!!
xo
Blue
Posted by: Gillian @ Indigo Blue | 11 September 2007 at 14:50
Stunning work of art!!!!
Posted by: Robin | 11 September 2007 at 14:32
Tara, what a lovely tale of love, and the painting fits it perfectly. Beautiful!
Posted by: Becca | 11 September 2007 at 14:27
What a treat to look at that painting. I like the dream-like quality of your post. It makes me wish for the impossible.
Posted by: gautami | 11 September 2007 at 14:15
Your blog is a wonderful, luscious insight into my favourite city. I'll visit again! Thank you.
Posted by: cate | 11 September 2007 at 13:09
aah the stories of sheherazade and the mezmerizing voice of oum khalthoum... going back in time when the sultry mediterrenean nights were filled with the perfume of jasmin...
lelah yah lelah...
Posted by: marita | 11 September 2007 at 12:22
That was wonderful. I love the contrasts between the jewels and treasures and the simple life you long for.
Posted by: Robin from Israel | 11 September 2007 at 11:53