Written and illustrated by

Linda Chainey

Book of Secrets

Copyright © Linda Chainey 2009

Book of SecretsWritten and illustrated by

Linda Chainey

DedicationThis book is dedicated to all those with a fanciful imagination. A girl’s fears are allayed by a friend who acts as her guide, taking her into strange and imaginary places. She must enter through each new place unknowing what lies ahead, emerging stronger as she realises that the power she seeks was within her all the time.

Read my book of secretsTo see how it all began.And how I turned all my can’t’sInto the words ‘ I can ’

As a child I played beneath the tableInstead of up above.Pretending I was all aloneWith nobody to love.

I drew beneath the tableInstead of drawing on.Pretending I was quite aloneAnd everyone had gone.

Hiding ‘neath the tableclothIn folds of lacy white.I spied amidst the glowing fireA clear and sparkling light.

Flames that flickered, leaping high.Repeating different stances.And with their never-ending patterns,Demonstrating dances.

Gradually there did appearA path split down the middle. And as I gazed with eyes now glazed,I gasped at such a riddle.

More paths kept on re-appearing.I uttered not a word.For as I sat in silent awe,My eyes lit on the bird.

I never saw from whence it cameOr how it did appear.I peered and saw that from its eye,There hung a glass-like tear.

I caught it in my handkerchiefAnd felt its rounded form.I wiped it on my cheekWhere it left me feeling warm.

He told me he would help meTo believe my own true worth. I had to go with him right thenAnd travel over earth.

The bird then beckoned with his clawTo nestle on his plumes.Then he shrank me to the size of himAnd flew me from the room.

We flew across the mountainsAmidst receding flames. Through places I’d not seen beforeOr even knew their names.

Then far into the distance,A wall of stones I saw.Surrounding many balconiesAbove an arch-shaped door.

It was the folly of the seaGrown upwards from a twisted tree

We nestled by a window paneWhere bird tapped on the glass.‘Guess the way through,’ spoke a voice,‘And I will let you pass.’

It was the Lady of the RockWho held the key to one small lock.

‘To find it, enter one small door,Or fly towards the light.Where dwells the sleeping girlWho guards the well at night.’

We flew right past the one small doorAnd up towards the light.I sensed my bird’s exultationTo know he’d chosen right.

For the light shone bright and dazzlingGuiding us at night.

My bird, he dropped me gently down.He told me that he’d wait.While I was meant to climb more stairsUntil I reached a gate.

The view I glimpsed was wondrous,It filled my eyes with awe.Amazing faces everywhereLay through that guarded door.

I let my key unlock the gate,Then wandered through a mazeOf trees and such strange faces, I viewed them in a daze.

I hid behind the trellis thereWhich curled around the well.I clung to vines to ease my way down,Just in case I fell.

Down into a well of tearsI travelled to the base.I landed by the dozing swanResting in her place.

Just then she yawned and opened wide,A beak so large and cavernous.Held fast inside a fish resided.Swan had been quite ravenous.

Quick as a flash, I snatched fish out.Who’d surely have perished if I’d dithered about?

Then I was mindful of the words,Uttered by my helpful bird.

‘He who guards the swan is wise.The way to leave is through his eyes.A journey you will have to make.Lies across the blue/green lake.’

And so we left the shining light By threading through the sky.We had to push the clouds awayWhose whiteness stung my eye.

I dreamed I saw musicians then,Playing in a band.They followed in succession,Linking with their hands.

Music follows me everywhere

Music follows me every

where

Music follows me everywhere

I thought I saw my dancersAmong the fiery flames.But when I looked more closely,They were only playing games.

I want so much to be like them,I desperately cried.They seem to know, just where to go,While I’ve never even tried.

The answer’s simple, bird then said.You must believe in YOU!Never, never be afraidOf what you want to do!

Yes or No!Stay or go!Can or Can’t!Shall or shan’t!Which will it be?Who might it be?You or me...we’ll see?