They told her not to look...
It was but a whisper...
the sound of her footsteps
the sound of her footsteps
as she crept quietly into the room.
She grasped the key snugly in her hand
her breath quickening at the thought
of what she would discover.
of what she would discover.
They told her not to look,
that was their first mistake
or was it hers?
Having a little fun
this Friday afternoon in Saigon
as the thunder claps and the rain dances
on the rooftop of Chateau Mango.
If you were holding the key,
what would you hope
to find inside the box?
The world is your oyster
let your imagination run wild...
~~~
Happy Weekend!
Jeanne xx
Photograph taken by me..
any guesses as to where?
Mine would hold pictures of family, friends, and lovers. It would have old love letters and lock's of my children's hair. I would see print-outs of my favorite, personal "creative" essays, and a recording of my parent's voices. My favorite antique rings would be there, along with a small eclectic collection of earings in gold, silver, and gems. The box would include writing and drawings from my children and my favorite images of them, Old tickets from all the music concerts and public events I've attended over the years. My journals. A special writing pen. Some of my sister's artist trading cards, along with those I've created, and small paintings and sketches from all my talented friends over the years. Lace from my wedding veil would be there, along with antique china teacups from my great aunts. My favorite book of poetry. And finally, sachet bags filled with lavender from Provence, France so the sweet smell of it's perfume occurs everytime I lift the lid.
ReplyDeleteWow Patricia...that is wonderful! I love your secret box, a real treasure chest filled with everything that is you. Perfect! xx
DeleteJeanne, I could have added to that list all day long, assuming it is bottomless! :D
DeletePatricia...I think you need to write a blog! :)
DeleteThat is a gorgeous box no matter what treasure it holds. I have a box that holds little treasures, things my husband has made for me over the years, little trinkets, much like Patricia'. Fun though to think of a special treasure inside that box.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend Jeanne it's gorgeous on the other side!
XXX
Debra~
Thank you Debra and I am so glad it is gorgeous on the other side! :)
ReplyDeleteJeanne,
ReplyDeleteThis box and introduction has my imagination running wild. I am a guests in an old chateau in France in the Loire Valley and I have been told not too look in this treasure box. As you said, the first mistake...as I approach the box, key in hand I take in its beauty and blow off the dust. I feel a little nervous and a little trepidation as I insert the key and turn it, these feelings increase as I hear the lock click.
Suddenly the box springs open and inside is a pile of dusty, leather bound journals, with gold script written by Marie Antoinette and Count Axel von Fersen. As I reach into the box and pick up the first journal I am transported to the magical world of Versailles and to a romance that many have eluded to but had no proof of.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend JEanne!
xx Elizabeth
Love...your magical world Elizabeth! Wouldn't it be wonderful to be transported to Versaille in it's day.. That thought will keep me going all day, thank you! xx
DeleteInside the box would be all the happy memories of my family...and the promise of more to come!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Jeanne! Have a beautiful weekend! xoxo
Thank you Sandy...as a special box should be used..one that can be passed on from generation to generation, holding the memories of many lifetimes. :) xx
DeleteOh Jeanne, what a thought provoking opening. Oh what would I hope to find. I would love to open the box and find handwritten letters from my mother. I lost her so long ago. It would be nice to have all the wisdom I know she would have shared with me had she been here.
ReplyDeleteOh Bonnie...that is such a beautiful thought... xx
ReplyDeleteHello Jeanne
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful thought.
As the lid slowly lifted out popped $100,000 with strict instructions that I must use it for travel and and it must be spend within this calendar year. I must rush as I have a suitcase to pack
Ciao
Helenxx
Helen...we are on the same wave length..I was thinking around-the-world trip ticket...destination..a mystery. xx
DeleteI am no Pandora so I don't need to adhere to her story. As I lifted the lid, a glowing golden orb would rise in front of me, then scatter to the four winds, covering the world in lasting Peace...
ReplyDeleteToday it is pouring in Provence too. I just came back from the walk with the dogs--the one that has to happen rain or shine--and we all are trying to dry out...
Bisous,
H
Heather... world peace...perfect..
DeleteNice to think that mother earth is shedding her happy tears in your corner of the globe..
Here is to the gardens that will grow amongst us.. :) xx
Lovely, Jeanne.
DeleteI can imagine how bright bright green the rain must make all the plants and flowers in the gardens of Chateau Mango...am listening to an old time jazz station as the rain comes down...Louis Armstrong is singing and I am about to get up and make some eggs for lunch. One of those kinds of days. :)
Off to dinner for traditional Vietnamese..humming a tune..Louis Armstrong, 'What a Wonderful World'..thank you H! xx
DeleteDear Jeanne,
ReplyDeleteWell, I think that I would pass the box onto someone else ..... someone who hadn't had much excitement in their lives, and let them have the enjoyment of it. I have been lucky enough to have had some very special times and moments in my life ..... I have many fond memories and momentoes and photographs of my family, friends and meaningful times, therefore, I shall give the box to someone else who has not been so fortunate.
Sorry that I've been a hopeless blogger and comments have been few and far between ..... seem to have been a little busy of late and blogging has taken a back seat !
Life sounds exciting for you Jeanne { as always !! } and I love the look and sound of your new home, Tahilla Farm.
Enjoy your weekend. XXXX
Jackie..a lovely gesture and as for being a hopeless blogger...never! There can never be a hopeless blogger, let alone you...we do this for lots of reasons and when time does not permit I think we all understand. It is always lovely to hear from you Jackie and thank you for your comments on Tahilla, it has been quite an undertaking but an enjoyable one. I share your sentiments on having a lot of excitement in life...wouldn't have it any other way... xx
DeleteI adore your photographs, your thoughts put into beautiful words, your sweetness. I love Chateau Mango...it reminds me of my growing up years in the Amazon Jungle...the poetry of living in the tropics, the sweetness of traveling and discovering new things, new cultures, great interesting food...oh, isn't life grand? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteC. Bentley
Coca...you are so very kind and I am so glad something I have shared could remind you of growing up in the Amazon jungle...wow! It sounds like you have lived an intersting life...I hope you write about it someday..if you do, be sure to let me know. Thank you for reading along..it is much appreciated..truly! :)
DeleteFinding the key to this box of unknown treasure would have my imagination running wildly about. It would be wonderful to find within a stack of journals written by a woman in the years 1920 to 1960 while she lived in Vietnam. The stories and intrigue from the years under the French government and then those time leading up to the war would fascinate me....and on a day like today when the raindrops fall and the clouds go quickly through the sky I would make a cup of tea, sit under a lovely afghan and read until I fell asleep to dream about the stories.
ReplyDeleteI love it Kristin! I have a few books that may interest you. I will email the names to you. You always create such beautiful images..sounds perfect. xx
DeleteWondering, wishing, wanting is often much more enjoyable than having, don't you think. I would try to keep the box locked for as long as I could, but then when I finally could not take it any longer, I would have lost the key, lol. So I would simply end up with a beautiful locked box.
ReplyDelete..and there the mystery stays...I love that idea Mary. Imagine all the stories you could write and it would make for a great conversation piece in your home..just imagining what could be in it. xx
DeletePS..I would have lost the key as well ;)
They say hindsight is always better than foresight. I would love to find a ticket that would take me back in time where I would have time and money to do the things I discovered later in life and love to do today. There are so many things I find pleasure in doing, not the least of them travel and being creative in my home, but when I was younger I didn't have wherewithal (construe that as a very broad term) to do those things. Another saying is, "Travel is so "broadening."--how right they are. Reading (and what bit of travel I have done) has opened the world to me. Nothing better, in my book, than a great novel to read. Also, it gives me great pleasure when I complete a creative task for my home. My Mother used to ask, "How do you know so much?" as if I were a genius of some sort. Not! Reading, of course. She didn't understand the pleasures of reading as I do, nor where it might get you in life. The reading gene in my family passed from my maternal grandmother to the grandchildren. So, finding books, tickets to travel the world, art, music, friends, and taking my daughter along on the ride would be a great find!
ReplyDeleteThat reading gene is a blessing Judy, I know exactly what you mean. My father was a great reader, self taught in many ways as a result. I use to marvel at the things he knew. I love to read but can not say I have the same recall. I am a dreamer...taking after my mother. Like you..it is where books can take me, that gives me the most enjoyment. I love seeing my children read..it is a special gift when you have the love of reading. As for the secret box, travelling back in time, to do it differently with the knowledge you have today...perfect! I often think of the same and expect many others do as well. Good ideas for thought...thank you Judy! xx
DeleteHi Jeanne,
ReplyDeleteTo have the key and the imagination, the seduction will be almost irresistible.
Your wonderful poem is the key to the mysterious box.
Best regards,
edgar
Thank you Edgar! :)
Delete