Sunday, November 10, 2013

"Only If For A Night"

Today, I wanted to write an ode to my late grandmother.  I reflected off of my own experiences and Florence and the Machine's lyrics to "Only If For A Night."  I had the privilege of seeing Florence perform live and I must admit; she is one of the most mesmerizing and intriguing artists I know of.

“And I had a dream about my old school” She was standing behind my sophomore English professor in a white, tattered dress.   Her skin; porcelain white, reflecting off of the decadence of dancing dust bunnies fading into the sunlight streaming through the classroom window. 
“And she was there on pink and gold and glittering” She took my hand and walked me through dark halls until we met corundum gems in pink skies...and a sun so strikingly golden and bright...inevitably blinding my judgment as we continued to walk toward the old church behind Alumni Hall.
 
“I threw my arms around her legs” When we arrived at the church, we were suddenly thrusted into her backyard where a cemetery once haunted my dreams as a child.  I was no longer a young woman but a frightened little girl; wrapping myself at the seams of the bottom of her torn dress.
 
“Came to weeping” (came to weeping) As I fell to the ground, tears poured into the graves of my loved ones, including hers.
“Came to weeping” (came to weeping) She wrapped her ceramic white hands around my face and lifted my head toward her captivating rapture.
 
“And I heard your voice as clear as day” It pierced through my veins like a thousand climatic echoes thrashing through the Himalayan Mountains of my most beloved memories of her as a child.

“And you told me I should concentrate” I knew I was throwing my education away because of my addictions and every other demon college had provided my tortured soul.

“It was all so strange” She stood before me; silken and cold, yet, warm and bounded by the blood and comfort of our home. 
“And so surreal” I felt her pain straggling to take hold onto all of my senses; almost to scare the darkness out of my confused inhibitions and longing for her to stay.

“That a ghost should be so practical” As sorry and desperate as I had been, I knew in my heart I should have always listened to her. 
“Only if for a night” I wanted to stay lost in her existence so I clung to my remembrances for as long as I possibly could.

“And the only solution was to stand and fight” I stood up as my rage banged against the hands of time trying to take my apparition away.
“And my body was bruised and I was set alight” Only to be thrashed back by an angry force; suppressing my fight for her to stay.
 

“But you came over me like some holy rite” Her existence appeared over me, white and sapphire silk covering the flames that engulfed my aching and crumbling body.

“And although I was burning, you’re the only light” Throughout my life, I knew she was the angel who saved me when I was beaten and left for dead by my sins.

“Only if for a night” I lost the fight as she picked up my burned body and wrapped me in the safety and coolness of her silken rapture.

“And the grass was green against my new clothes” After my body reconciled with my sin and His Greatness, she carried me to her old house among the meadows; the grass beautifully woven against my dress as we moved toward greater pastures together.
 

“And I did cartwheels in your honor” I praised her presence and danced in the light of my awakening.

“Dancing on tiptoes” I circled around her; my everything.

“My own secret ceremonials” I felt afloat as my feet glided against the grace of the green grass and conjuring of my newfound judgment.

“Madam, my dear, my darling” My nana, my love, my grandmother.

“Tell me what all this sighing’s about” Why are you sad, grandmother?

“Tell me what all this sighing’s about” You’re sad because I have to go back now, aren’t you?

“And I heard your voice as clear as day” Don’t worry nana, I will listen from now on.

“And you told me I should concentrate” I kneeled and nodded as I held onto the last moments I had with her.

“It was all so strange” She faded into the fires against the sky which brought us to this place of peace.

“And so surreal” I knew she wouldn’t be back this time.

“That a ghost should be so practical” My grandmother always knew how to make a point.
 “Only if for a night” Even if it meant ripping me away from my dreams into a realm of furious serenity.

 
You can visit the following link for a live performance of this song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKTfugNaQpk
 
 

14 comments:

  1. This was amazing! I loved the blend of the lyrics from "Only If For A Night" and your brilliant descriptions. What a beautiful ode you made for your grandmother. Near the end, I got chills. No doubt, your grandmother is proud of you for all you have accomplished and overcame. <3

    Oh, and have I mentioned how jealous I am of the concerts you have been to? I believe I have, but it's worth saying again . . . I am jealous. lol

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    1. Thank you, Chrys! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading this piece.
      You must see Florence & the Machine live. She is absolutely impeccable.

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  2. That was beautiful, Gina. You do your grandmother proud. :)

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    1. Kelly, that means so much to me. Thank you for taking the time to stop by=)

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  3. Wonderfully touching and poetic, Gina. A lovely ode and commemoration to your Nana. I feel like I know her in some way now...that is the power of words imbued with love and dignity, yes? Yes.

    Thank you for sharing this. Just lovely.

    Blessings,
    Paul

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  4. Thank you for your kind words, Paul. I'm touched that I was able to share a part of my love and admiration for her with my readers.

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  5. Gorgeous song, so glad you were able to apply the lyrics to your own life and dreams in a way that was so meaningful to you.

    Peace and blessings to you.

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    1. Thanks Beverly=) I love this song..it possesses so much strength and weakness at the same time that I had no choice but to play around with the lyrics.

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  6. Sweet tribute. It's amazing how deeply people can touch our lives, eh?

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    1. It most definitely is endearing, indeed. There are certain people we will always remember throughout our lives. Some, even more so than others. I still recall times when I was just four years old, running around my nana's house as she chased my sister and I around with a broomstick pretending to be a witch, lol. Brewing her pot of raisin bran over the stove just to convince us to eat it!

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  7. LOVE this song, thanks for sharing it.. as for the post, you nailed it. There are a few people in my life I shudder to think what might have come of me if I hadn't known them. Tis amazing all the difference a person can make in our life, yes? I do think you Nana would be terribly proud and honored for you words.

    Beautiful!

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Brenda. I actually remember you doing an ode to a song yourself several posts back and that was the kicker for me to explore lyrics. This one hits home so I decided to use it to mirror my adoration for my late grandmother.
      It is truly amazing how one's charisma and characteristics can affect our lives until the ending of our time.
      Thank you for your kindness and sweet thoughts=)

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  8. I'm probably in the minority here but I don't think I've ever heard this song! The way you write about it definitely makes me want to listen to it!

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  9. Thank you, Quanie! You definitely have to listen to it. One of my favorites:)

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