I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

Photo “Milky Way” by EvgeniT, Pixabay

“Ecstatic Love is an ocean, and the Milky Way is a flake of foam floating on it.” -Rumi

Morning Edit:  22July19 c.8am

I fixed the photo on the Gem.  It’s so gorgeous and I didn’t want any of it cut from the frame. I also posted a link to the photo.  Then I started wondering who named the Milky Way and things went on from there.

I learned it was called the “Milky Circle” by the Greeks.  The story goes, Zeus brought the infant Hercules to nurse from Hera while she slept.  She woke while the baby suckled and pushed him away.  (His mother was a mortal, one of her husband’s many conquests).  A few drops of milk spilled and formed the Milky Circle. The Romans adopted the name and called it “Via Lactea.” Translated, that means “the road of milk.”

In Germany it’s Milchstrasse. In Norway, it’s called Melkeveien. Both translate to Milky Way in English. But in Finland, it’s called Linnunrata (“path of birds”). In Armenia, it’s “hard goghi chanaparh,” or “Straw Thief’s Way.” In Sweden and Iceland, it’s called Vetrarbrautin and Vintergatan (Winter Way). In East Asia, it’s called “Silver River.”

Source:  How the Milky Way Got Its Name

I love the name Silver River best because it comes from the story of the Weaver Girl and the Buffalo Boy. Two of my poems from Elanthian Love Songs are based on this legend, one for the Weaver Girl and one for the Buffalo Boy (also called “The Cowherd.) I was inspired to write the poems after seeing two beautiful paintings by Steph Law about this legend.

“Bridge of Dreams Where She Waits” by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, Shadowscapes.com

EQUINOX

summer was new
when I looked into
his eyes
for the first time
fragrant Spring
so nearly gone
when I felt the heat
of the summer sun
when trembling
he held me in his arms
for the first time

under a summer moon
nearly full
my heart overflowed
at the love in his eyes
moonlight on his face
summer heat in his embrace
when we made love
on a summer’s night
for the first time

summer wanes
the air grows chill
I kiss his lips
on a photograph
I hear his voice
in memory still
and the promise we made
when I saw him last

I taste his tears
mingled with mine
when trembling
he held me for the last time

now nights on end
I wait for him
my waxing moon
my summer sun
and the kiss of his lips
and the promise he made
grows as cold as
winter’s dawn

Copyright 2001, 2019.
Elanthian Love Songs:  A Bard’s Tale
Sara Michele O’Sullivan
All rights reserved.

“Bridge of Wings – Where He Waits,” *
above, from the “Fairytales” gallery
Copyright Stephanie Pui-Mun Law,
2002, 2019. All rights reserved.
Used with permission. Thank you!

* “There is a Chinese tale of the Herder Boy and the Weaver Girl, who were so in love that they neglected their duties and were thus separated by the gods (they are stars in the sky). They are only allowed to meet one night a year, and that is when all the birds fly across to create a bridge between the Herder Boy’s and the Weaver Girl’s stars. This bridge of wings forms the Milky Way.”  (from Shadowscapes.com)

dedicated to lovers, now parted,
who will always love, and always
remember

“Bridge of Dreams Where He Waits” Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, Shadowscapes.com

IN HER EYES

When I look into her eyes
I see compassion, understanding
I see the wisdom that she paid for
with so much pain

When I look into her eyes
I see absolute acceptance
I see the love she gives me freely,
unquestioning

No one’s ever loved me like she does
And I know I can be anything
Make real any dream because
I just love the way I look
in her eyes

No one’s ever loved me like she does
With no masks and no disguise
And I feel like I could fly
Because I love the way I look
in her eyes

I wish the whole world could see me
the way she does
Oh, I just love the way I look
in her eyes…

Copyright 2001.
Sara Michele O’Sullivan
All rights reserved.

“Bridge of Wings – Where He Waits,” *
above, from the “Fairytales” gallery
Copyright Stephanie Pui-Mun Law,
2002. All rights reserved.
Used with permission. Thank you!

Dedicated to my SoulSis, Aerienne,
and to her love, Chris, better than 
any fantasy or dream.