Portrait of a Donkey

Enchanteur and her Donkey
by Heather Blakey

Roll up, roll up

The circus is in town.

Colour and music,

whistles and sound.

Elephants trumpetting

the neighing of horse.

Chattering monkeys

and clowns make you laugh.

Weeeeeeeeeee

the circus, the circus

hurry inside.

Much oooooing and ahhhhhhing

and laughter abounds

at baggy white undies

and tripping up clowns.

The circus, the circus

oh please, can’t we go?

The circus, the circus

underneath the big top.

I know, late again!

Surrender…. Surrender….. Surrender???  Well, actually, I’d really like to make a vow instead.  Is that okay?  I am famous for making promises to myself and not keeping them - lose weight, do this, do that, blah blah….boring!  So today, Surrender Box, as I stand before you, I solemnley vow to make art, to take this journey along the Serpentine Road, to write

1. daily
2. using only materials and objects that I already have in my possession
3. using techniques that I have wanted to try for a long time.

We should be in for an adventure!

Sammiam

Mule and Jan: First Night on the Road!

“Morning Mule.”

“Good morning Jan.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes thank you, I got all the sleep I needed.”

“Good, good, nice one. What’s for breakfast?”

“Left over sandwiches and fruit.”

“Oh…and here’s me expecting a full English!” 

Mule looked at me and shook his head. My promise to be respectful and help out more had obviously floated off on a southerly breeze. Sometimes people say things because they feel they’ve been backed into a corner and it’s the easiest way out. Then again there are times when they make promises they don’t or can’t or never intended to keep; unfortunately if they do that on a regular basis they are deemed untrustworthy. I can see how that works and it’s hardly unusual, most people indulge in that chocolate truffle when it suits them. I am a disappointment to Mule but he doesn’t play fair; it isn’t normal to be as good as he is and always do what’s right and proper.  

“I think that you should sort yourself out quickly. We need to keep going and use the cool of the day to make headway. It’s important not to fall behind and I want to call in at the Serpentine Circus.” 

“The Serpentine Circus! Gosh! They’re busy little things aren’t they. D’you think I could get a full English there?” 

“I think you should hurry up and prepare yourself for a few hours of walking – as opposed to making flippant remarks about people and places you’ve never seen.” 

On my last trip with Mule he’d been a serious character, courteous, helpful, quick-witted but essentially serious. I don’t recall him being so grumpy as to seem distant and put out; I was picking up a sense of actual dislike and resentment, as though my presence irked him.

“I’ll tell you what Mule, you go about your business and I’ll be ready before you can say jiffy. It’s obvious that you would prefer to be anywhere but here and I can’t handle ‘sanctimonious’ this early in the day. It’s not my fault you were allocated to me but if you have such an aversion to the task perhaps you should contact Chan…L’Enchanteur and ask if it’s possible for someone else to accompany me down the turpentine road. Oh, cheers, feel free to yawn your head off when we’re in the middle of a row, very polite, very professional…what’s that on your tail?” 

There was something on Mule’s tail I hadn’t noticed before; something that looked for all the world like a ribbon or fancy coloured string. I hadn’t seen it before we’d settled down for the night and the idea that he’d deliberately choose to decorate his nether regions was inconceivable. He looked startled and yawned again in front of me, in my face if you will, a giant yawn. 

“I thought you slept well Mule, how is it you’re so tired if you got a good night’s sleep? Were you fibbing? You don’t look like you’ve had any sleep! There’s something fishy going on here, I smell a rat!” 

He was trying not to laugh out loud and believe me, when you bray like a donkey it’s difficult to hide the sniggering. The thing on his tail jiggled about like a kite that couldn’t wait any longer and wanted to flap its way skyward. I walked to the back of his shaking with blaughter (mule speak) body and took a proper look at his festive, rear end decoration.

 

“Ohhh! Oh and I say again oh! That is a party popper! A party popper! You’d better spill the beans buddy or you and I could have words! How did you get a …a… party popper on your tail in the middle of the night? How? How?” 

 

He was still falling about with amusement; it can be remarkably difficult to keep a straight face when a mule can’t stop blaughing but I was positively fuming. Ten minutes later when he no longer appeared to be demonstrating a four-legged hip-hop (hysterical, I’ll describe it to you some time) and he’d got his breath back he deigned to explain.

“I…hmm…that is…hmm…I haven’t spent the entire night sleeping… here… in this copse.” 

“You haven’t? What have you been doing if you haven’t been sleeping?” 

For future reference be very careful before you utter that specific phrase to a mule – or indeed any other living creature that possesses the power of speech. 

“I took off for a while and… hmm… I went …hmm … to an event.” 

“An event? An event! What kind of event does a mule attend in the middle of the night?” 

“Oh, a … a… party, sort of… event.”

“A party! A party? In the middle of the night when you were supposed to be sleeping, resting up for the arduous journey ahead. Whose party?”

“The serpents… that is… hmm… the serpents… were having a boogie.” 

“The serpents were having a boogie! A boogie! The serpents? It’s incredible! It’s… it’s … beyond words! The mind boggles!” 

“Booogles actually.”

“What? Boggles, booogles… what a cheek, what a nerve, I’m …   

“Speechless?” 

I would like to take this opportunity to add a cautionary note for anyone reading this and considering a trek through Lemuria – don’t. If for any reason it is impossible and you have to venture forth try to make sure that you interview your guide. Even when the guide is allocated, there is nothing quite so humiliating as waking up in the morning to find out that your mule has been bopping whilst you have been blissfully unaware in the land of nod. 

“How did you know the serpents were having a boogie? How do serpents boogie anyway? No! Don’t tell me, I’m not sure I can handle the answer.”  

Mule had completely calmed down by now and gone so far as to adopt both his serious face and tone. His explanation was, I have to admit, intriguing.

 

“It was a birthday bash for one of the young serpents, he was celebrating his eighty eight which went marvellously even though someone sneaked in illegal grog. As for how do serpents boogie they are brilliant if you must know for they are both lithe and daring. When it comes to my knowing, I found out months ago on a weekend break in Duwamish, a visit you have never bothered to make even though you have lived in Lemuria for at least a year.”

 

“Well excuse me my ignorance Mule, I hadn’t realised Duwamish was such a mine of information on the metropolis which passes for Lemurian nightlife. So what happened? Did a serpent slime by with a flyer, call in at the stables and give you the goss on what to put in your diary for the movers and shakers of snake village? Whoo hoo.”

 

“No, nothing of the sort, you couldn’t be further from the truth. I was given an invitation in a gold leaf envelope made from the skin of a highly prestigious serpent elder and I was most certainly not in a stable.”

 

“So where were you? Having a look round town? Casting your eyes round the old curiosity shop to see if you could pick up a bargain?”

“I was doing what most mules do when they’re taking a weekend break in Duwamish.”

“Come on then, reveal all.”

 

“I was sitting on the dock of the bay Jan; perhaps you should try it some time.”

 

Jan

 

(The picture is of a serpent boogie when it’s been infiltrated with illegal grog!)

Patience

 On the green,

At Serpentine Road,

Bright tents sit squat.

Flags and bunting

flutter and flap.

I am abuzz;

Electric with impatience.

The circus! The circus!

Where to go?

What to do?

In an old faded tent,

In a quiet corner,

He is waiting.

Ears flick idly

Eyes half shut,

Methodically munching

A barrelful of apples,

He waits.

Laughing and breathless

I flit from tent to tent.

Stilts and jugglers,

Balloons and clowns,

Magic and musicians.

So much to see!

Feast your eyes!

So much to hear!

Feast your ears!

Oh! The smells and the tastes!
Mouthwatering and enticing.

I laugh and sing

And dance and spin.

Dizzy and giddy

And drunk with fun.

Longsuffering Spindleshanks sighs.

Still he waits,

Eats another apple,

And waits.

Now the music is too loud

The colours too bright.

Head throbs,

Eyes itch.

I seek a silent, shady spot;

A tent in the corner,

Lonely and faded,

Quiet and cool.

And that’s where I find him

Patiently waiting

Eating apples.

Circus Serpentine Oracle

The oracle of the Serpentine Circus does not sit upon a tripod with fumes surrounding her.
She sits upon a giant ball that throws up images from the Serpentine Road.
There is little she does not know about what is happening in these parts and she can predict the future.
In her spare time Riviera is the elephant trainer although many dispute who is actually in charge.

Heather Blakey

Madame Viola and the Serpentine Circus

“Let’s explore a bit. I’ve been ever so bored awaiting your arrival.” Joey has the habit of meeting my eyes and stubbornly not blinking. Drilling his sentiments straight through to my mind. I tend to give in to his whims. He truly doesn’t ask for much, and I feel awkward and ungrateful when I deny his simple requests.

“Sure, Joey. Where shall we explore? All I see are prairie and the outpost. Doesn’t leave much for exploring.”

“Ah, you haven’t my visionary skills. I see much through my tortoiseshell eye glasses. They were a real find.”

“Okay, spell out your plans. Where?”

“Beyond the prairie, there is a small copse of woods. We’ll fly there.”

Before I had time to carefully consider the idea, I was riding upon Joey’s back and taking to the air. Oh, it had been a long time since my last flight. The breeze was cool against my face. Then I looked down, horrified to see I was still in my pajamas.

“Joey, we have to stop. I need to change into proper clothes.”

“Nonsense. No one will notice at the place where we’re headed.”

With a sense of exasperation, I held onto Joey’s mane and within minutes, we were hovering above the woods. He dropped through the air and ground to a rough landing. I nearly fell off his back. “Whoa, Joey!”

“Give me a break, Bo. I haven’t carried a rider lately. I need a little bit of practice. Besides, my top hat was about to blow off and I had to retrieve it. It’s from Enchanteur, you know. Magical.”

For a moment, it crossed my mind that Enchanteur had given all the mules and donkeys a talisman of their own, but why would she do that? I deemed it prudent not to ask such questions. I didn’t want to know what possible magic was embedded in that hat.

“Destination is in these woods, Bo. A grand circus.”

“Joey, we’re in the middle of nowhere. Have you been sampling the apple cider?”

“Bo, what a question. I an full of adventure, but not apple cider. Anyway, I seldom touch the stuff. Always need a clear mind, especially when you’re in a big jam.”

“Joey! That’s not really true. I can take care of myself.” Immediately upon saying those words, I regretted them. I knew I depended on him for help. He knew it too, but was diplomatic and didn’t counter my outburst.

“No spat now, Bo. Let’s go. I hear the Serpentine Circus is the best in Lemuria. Full of surprises, and we might run into someone we know.”

We wandered a bit around the dusty grounds, and I eyed the stand with the cotton candy. My stomach was rumbling; I hadn’t eaten all day. But Joey was partial to a trip to the fortune tellers, especially the gypsy’s tent where a flashing sign beckoned us to see our future in her crystal ball. As we headed toward Madame Viola’s tent, I was surprised to see Samm and her donkey, Daniel, leaving. They were both shaking their heads and mumbling to each other. They didn’t see us as we passed and they seemed somewhat bewildered. As I motioned to Joey that I was going over to speak to them, he shook his head in warning. With some consternation, I followed his lead. We walked past them without saying hello. They didn’t notice.

“Do you think we should go in?” I hesitated. Maybe this crystal ball stuff was more than I had bargained on.

“Of course, lots of the donkeys are bringing their travelers here. We should at least hear what she says. Lemurian gypsies are known for their superior ability to see into the future. Besides I’m curious. Better to know what we might face than go in blind to danger.”

So this was Joey’s impetus for coming to the circus. I should have known he knew more than he shared. I had my doubts, but I’ve learned from the past. Joey is uncanny in his hunches.

Joey pawed the mat at the tent’s entrance as I hesitantly rang the bell swinging from a braided rope of horsehair and red blossoms. It jingled, softly and melodically. Madame Viola poked her head through the heavy curtain. She gave me a toothy grin, but frowned at Joey and shook her finger at him. “Yesterday a mule came for a reading and he left muddy prints all over my Persian carpet…”

I interrupted her. “But look, Madame Viola. Joey is a gentleman donkey. He even has a perm and manicure. See how handsome he is.”

“Ah! So he is, he with the purple polished hooves. And he has dressed for the occasion, which is more than I can say for you. But I will overlook your… nightwear… and you both can come in. I swear I’ve foretold the future for every four legged creature within fifty miles of here, and all asking the same questions. Of course, none of them get the same answers. Some leave here quite forlorn, while others whistle themselves away.” Then she directed her conversation to my donkey. “I suppose you talk?”

“Of course I talk. You may call me Joey, and this is my companion and friend, Bo. We would like to know…”

“Yes. Joey and Bo. You’re on my list. I know what you want to know, so just hush.” We were ushered inside where a table and two chairs were placed against the far wall. Upon the table covered with finely woven silver cloth, a crystal ball rested on an orange silk pillow.

“Just what list are we on?”

“List? Ah, yes. To business.” She bowed deeply. “You have five minutes. But, first, pass over two pieces of silver,” said Madame Viola firmly.

I met Joey’s brown eyes. Then looked towards the Madame and shrugged. Embarrassed, I tried to explain. “I…I don’t have, umm…”

Joey nudged my neck. “Look in Enchanteur’s bag. Barter if you must. This is important.”

I swung my body madly towards him. “Joey, I can’t do that! Every thing is a treasured talisman.”

He stamped his hoof and glared at me with his famous stare. He cleared his throat meaningfully and stared. He rolled his brown eyes, first clockwise and then counterclockwise, still staring Then he gave me a huge smile and waited.

“Okay! Give me a break. I’ll look.” I rummaged through my bag and handled the familiar objects - spectacles, unicorn medallion, candlestick, dream seeds. Then my fingers touched an unfamiliar object at the very bottom. I pulled out an intricately carved gold thimble and proffered this to Madame Viola. She looked at it carefully through her magnifying glass and bit it with her sharp teeth. Then she sniffed the thimble and held it to her ear.

“Hmmphf. I’ll not trade anything for this. Tis magical indeed, but only for it’s true owner. I’ll be a dear and do your fortune without payment. Enchanteur’s instructions, of course.”

I stared at her, surprised. “You know Enchanteur?”

“Of course I know her. Ain’t she talked to every man, woman and child in this circus? Sit down. And Joey, stand there and please don’t move an inch. There are family heirlooms in here.”

Madame Viola waved her hands, letting her fingers dance in mid-air over her crystal globe, and incanted words I couldn’t understand. No abracadabra for this lady. After minutes of looking intently into the ball, images floated within it. She eyed us with poorly concealed emotion. “You’re soon to take an exciting journey, but it is fraught with danger and trials. If you remain together at all times, and follow your instincts - especially you, Joey - you have a chance of true enlightenment and a safe return home. Be forewarned, though. Travel may be difficult, taxing your every move, and you will meet demons in disguise. At all cost, avoid any creatures that are cursed. Some carry upon themselves a heavy coat of brilliant red fur and often wear flowing black capes. Dark. Very dark. Now go. I have other customers waiting.”

I gulped hard and dared not look at Joey. I blindly stumbling from the tent; Joey followed thoughtfully. My eyes filled with tears and a black pit settled in my stomach. Outside, waiting their turn, was Chefleur accompanied by Spindleshanks. We nodded hello as they rang Madame Viola’s bell, but Madame ushered then into her inner sanctum before we could have a word.

“Well, Joey, are you satisfied? Did we really need to go see her? What does she know, anyway? Balderdash!”

“Hmm. Talk about beasts of burden. Lots of burdens on my shoulders.” Joey was thinking out loud. “Though this could work for the best, as there will be many lessons along the way. Always good to know what to expect. That darn Enchanteur, always making everything so difficult. Climb aboard, Bo. We’re expected back at the outpost soon. Perhaps there will be a Union Meeting and we can discuss the gypsy’s warnings.”

“I’m not sure of this journey, Joey. Maybe I should tell Enchanteur I’m not well enough to travel. That I simply cannot go.”

Joey sighed deeply and shook his head again. “She knows the truth, Bo, no matter what you say. We need to leave now. I’m uncomfortable staying any longer.” He adjusted his eyeglasses, adjusted his top hat, and looked at me expectantly. But my feet were rooted to the ground. I looked around and saw nothing suspicious. Perhaps I could stay with the circus folk. They seemed a nice enough lot.

“Bo! Get on. I’ll count to five. Then I leave without you.”

“Joey, you wouldn’t dare!”

“1…2…3… Get on!”

I tossed my leg recklessly over his back, all the time staring at Madame Viola’s striped tent which had suddenly begun to sway, yet I perceived no wind. While I puzzled over this, Chefleur exited the tent with Spindleshanks and walked quickly into the deeper woods. Sitting astride Joey, I watched as smoke curled from Madame Viola’s tent. Black smoke seeped from under the tent. Before my eyes, Madame Viola’s tent disappeared. When I surveyed the rest of the circus grounds, there were only patches of matted grass.

Joey was right. It was time to leave this place. I said a quick prayer and we headed for high sky.

The Serpentine Road Calling

Sometimes words cannot convey the feeling of being called in the night to a new and mysterious place, but called I was, and bid to travel to Samarkand to meet a stranger.When I rose in the morning and stared the dawn in the face, I knew I would have to go..

.

Dijanne

A Circuit of the Serpentine Circus

To my surprise, George stopped at the top of the next hill and told me to get off.

“Look down,” he said.

I looked.

Bright tents, colorful booths, jugglers, acrobats, musicians, vendors with little carts calling out their wares and people filled the little valley in front of me.

“Well, go on,” George said with a smile in his voice. “That’s Enchanteur’s Circus down there, at the head of the Serpentine Road. You’re supposed to go down and wander around for a bit before we leave.”

As I started down the hill, George stopped me again. “Don’t worry about spending all your money!” he called, “That’s what it’s for!”

“Money! I’ll just have to look, because I didn’t bring much,” I replied.

“Oh, I forgot! Look in my left saddlebag!”

I did and found a tan suede pouch that jingled invitingly when I shook it.

“Thanks, George! You and Enchanteur have done it again!” I laughed and shook my head as hung the pouch off my belt loop.

“Meet you on the far side!” I heard him call as I hurried down the grassy slope.

Soon I was wandering around, looking at the booths with exotic wares set out for sale and smelling savory scents rising from the food vendor’s booths. I stopped to buy something on a stick that smelled delightful and then bought a mug of beer to wash it down.

I thought I saw several people I knew go laughing by - actually they were reeling and laughing rather hysterically - but I had my mouth full and by the time I had swallowed, they were gone, having disappeared into the crowd. I handed my empty mug back to the tent owner and started off in the direction they had gone, but I got distracted by a musician playing something melancholy that tugged at my heartstrings as I passed. I listened for several songs and tossed some coins into the guitar case as I left. I stopped as three camels were led past me by people wearing motley. An elephant with a rider on his back lumbered not far behind them.

I wandered some more until I found a large red and white striped tent with happy laughter issuing from it. I peeked in and saw a couple of people on a stage - it seemed to be a comedy play of some sort, so I stayed and watched, joining the crowd in laughing until I cried.

When I came out again, it was high noon and getting very hot out. A lunch of a spicy hot sausage in a roll covered with mustard accompanied by another mug of beer and followed by something sweet in pastry, and I was set for the afternoon. As I walked away from the food vendor’s tent licking sticky sweet stuff from my fingers, I once again thought I saw people I knew, but they disappeared before I could catch up with them. I played some games at booths and laughed because I couldn’t knock down the milk cans or get the rings over the pegs any better than anyone else.

I walked farther into the maze of tents and booths and then had to stop. Jugglers tossed fiery wands back and forth across the path in front of me and people had stopped to watch; it was either stop and watch or step into the path of the fire.

I turned in another direction and saw an cheerful sight. A carousel with carved and painted animals of every description on it whirled in front of me and I had to have a ride - I chose a huge lion with a scarlet saddle and a gilded harness which went up and down as well as around to the cheerful music. With the magic of Lemuria, it felt like I was riding a real steed as it loped across a grassy plain. As I started to get off at the end of my ride, the man running the carousel stopped me and said, “You are one of Enchanteur’s adventurers, yes?”

“Yes, I am,” I answered.

“Come, ride one more time. I have a special steed for you.” He smiled and nodded, beckoning me to follow him. We climbed a set of stairs that I hadn’t noticed in the center of the ride and then we were on the top of the carousel, in a small second carousel in the middle of the top of the lower one. A set of giant ravens served as the steeds, painted with iridescent black feathers and glowing jewel eyes. The man gestured to the closest one. “Jump on,” he invited, “And enjoy your ride.”

I climbed up on the raven and moments later the carousel started. The magic took hold once more and the raven felt like he was flying far and wide over Lemuria instead of in a circle atop the carousel. We soared and swooped. I closed my eyes and felt the soft moisture of clouds on my face. The ride was pure magic. I sighed with both pleasure and disappointment when the ride ended.

Wandering on, I found an open air stage near the center of the fair. Folks were sitting on the benches there and waiting. One of them told me that le Enchanteur appeared there from time to time and held court, but I didn’t want to wait. She would show herself to me when she was ready.

Then I played a game at a booth where I was supposed to toss a hoop over a vase with a silk flower in it. I did, and the woman working the booth said, “Here, ducks! Here’s a posy for you!” and handed me the prize - a whole bunch of flowers. I took them with a smile and as I put my nose to them to sniff them, the whole bunch exploded into a cloud of butterflies, which fluttered around me for a few moments and then flew off. I laughed with delight and the crowd around me sighed at the sight.

I could see a Ferris wheel turning high into the air. It was painted in all the colors of the rainbow and was very tall. I stood in line for a ride and I wasn’t disappointed - I could see over the whole fair from the top. I looked over the bright tents and booths and the sea of people enjoying the event. I thought I saw Bo and her donkey going into a fortune teller’s tent, but the wheel came down before I could be sure. On the next trip up I looked the other way, toward the Serpentine Road we would be traveling soon. True to its name, the road wound sinuously through the landscape, a dirty brown ribbon snaking through the green fields, around the hills and far away towards the horizon. Where it disappeared in the distance I could see dark grey clouds. Wicked lightening forked through the sky there. Could this be an omen? I sincerely hoped not.

When I got off, I walked in the direction of the far edge of the fair. I had seen another huge tent that way and wanted to see what was in it. The big top wasn’t hard to find. I stepped into the darkness just as the crowd said “Ooohh…” in a huge sigh of enjoyment. This was the tent the circus itself was in. I sat and ate popcorn and watched clowns and trapeze artists perform in front of me, joining the crowd in sighs and cheers of appreciation. When the show was over, I stumbled out into the daylight again, sorry it was done.

I followed the main path towards fair’s far side.

Caricature artists, speed artists, folks who sold fantastic landscapes were in the next section I came to. I stopped to look at the fantastic landscapes and wondered what sorts of marvelous adventures a person could have in those places. Then I remembered I was off on an adventure of my own and moved along.

I found a tent where they were selling walking staffs with carved heads on them. There was one with a wolf’s head on it and Celtic knotwork spiraling down the sides. I was looking at it longingly and checking my purse to see how much money I had left when the proprietor came up to me. “You like this?” he asked

“It’s beautiful,” I smiled.

“You are the She Wolf, yes?” he asked.

“I am,” I answered, puzzled as to how he would know this.

The grizzled little man beamed and said, “For you. The Enchanteur said I was to give this one to you.”

“Give it to me? I can certainly pay for it. And how could she know I would stop here?”

“You take. She is Enchanteur, and I do as she says. And if you had not stopped, I think it would have shown up later on in your journey, yes?”

“Yes, I’m sure it would have!” I laughed. I thanked him sincerely for his wonderful gift and left the tent with a smile on my face. I was near the edge of the fair now, and I could see George waiting patiently under a tree for me. I bought a last meal on a stick along with a mug of cold cider and several sweet apples (which were for George) before I left.

Later, as I shared the apples with the pleased donkey, I looked down the hill at the road curving away through the fields, forest, and up into the hills and wondered what adventures it would take us to.

She Wolf (c)2007

Boogie Serpents!

                                                                                                    Jan