Monday, April 11, 2011

Magpie Tales 61


photo by Tess Kincaid

It was the call to vespers at the monastery, a quiet time of reflection at day's end. Brother Augustine walked the walk of the cloister and entered the sitting room. The lights had been turned down, but he lit the candles, took a wine glass from the hutch, and poured himself a glass of St. Vincent cabernet sauvignon.

Brother Augustine sat at the table and studied the ancient tapestry. After a few sips of the deep red wine, he began to see the familiar disguised images appear: Jesus, Mary Magdalene, a unicorn from the Middle Ages. Satisfied, he put the glass down and proceeded to the nave.
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41 comments:

  1. kjApril 11, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    ah, to see in peace, margaret!

    very nice. the action is inaction. that's something to remember, eh?

    love
    kj

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  2. MartinApril 12, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    Often, a glass will cause you to see things differently.

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  3. GrammyApril 12, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    I have always loved tapestry. I really enjoyed your post. : )

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  4. Doctor FTSEApril 12, 2011 at 7:34 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Doctor FTSEApril 12, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    How very observant! I haven't found the unicorn but there are definite hints of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Good Magpie.
    (Deleted comments was full of typos! I must have been hammering the sauvignon too hard . . )

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  6. AnneApril 12, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    A glass of wine sometimes puts things in perspective.

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  7. Isabel DoyleApril 12, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    hmmm what does the Abbot say about this, I wonder?

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  8. R. Burnett BakerApril 12, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Wow...I see it, now...I really do! Love the tone of these words, but really am impressed by what you saw in the tapestry. Sure you didn't have a couple of glasses yourself?? ;)

    Rick

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  9. HelenApril 12, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    This evening I will pour a glass of red wine, gaze deeply into it and hope to find the magic you write of.

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  10. FrikoApril 13, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    did he see the figures before or after he drank the wine? and just one glass?

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  11. MaggieApril 13, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    This is so beautiful. I felt at peace when I read it.

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  12. MeriApril 13, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Beautiful shot. . .full of depth and warmth and suggestive of layers of meaning. And yes, those were sightseeing monks in that last shot. It was the highlight of that day of photo field trip.

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  13. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    kj~ I love your innate wisdom. Your insights always hit me at the right time. Thanks, kj xxox

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  14. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Hi Martin~ That's why you always wait until the next morning to make a judgment call! Thanks for visiting.

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  15. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Hi Grammy~ Especially those ancient ones! Love, Margaret

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  16. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    Hi Dr. Faustus~ Funny how images of unicorns and gargoyles evolved from the Middle Ages as part of the Catholic Church! Thanks for visiting!

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  17. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    Hi Anne~ How true! Love, Margaret

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  18. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Hi Isabel~ I don't thihnk he knows! Br. Augustine is too afraid of what this might mean-- Thanks for visiting!

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  19. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Hi Rick! I've visited the Cloisters in New York City and seen their wall hangings of unicorn-themed tapestry. Strange complement to relics of saints and martyrs... Thank you for visiting!

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  20. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Hi Gautami! Thank for visiting and for the compliment!

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  21. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Hi Helen~ Did anything miraculous appear?! :) Thanks for visiting!

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  22. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Hi Friko! I think Br. Augustine has been doing this little obsessive ritual for a long time and can zero in on the visions pretty quickly! btw, I love "in vino veritas!" xxox

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  23. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    Hi Thingy! I agree with you--the rituals and rhythms of a monastery must be so peaceful and serene. Thanks for visiting!

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  24. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Hi Meri! This image suggested so many different ideas to so many people!
    It must have been amazing to be with those spiritual men-- Love, me xxox

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  25. hyperCRYPTICalApril 13, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Sometimes alcohol lets the defences down and we see more clearly... sometimes it clouds our vision and indeed makes us blind.

    Excellent take!

    Anna :o]

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  26. Marilyn & JeffApril 13, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    I liked the tone in this, I felt as if I was sitting there right behind Brother Augustine. It would have been a very quiet life full of symbols; he must have needed this piece of time to sit and reassure himself that he had chosen the right path maybe?

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  27. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    Hi Anna! Very well said! That's the problem with alcohol--you don't know where it will take you. Thanks for visiting!

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  28. Margaret PangertApril 13, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Hi Marilyn~ I think there is a fine line between the "divine mystery" and myth. There is a lot of room for contemplation and interpretation. It was exciting to follow all the imaginative scientific and religious paths Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code, etc.) took us down. Your point about Br. Augustine reassuring himself with his "forensics" is well taken. Thanks, Marilyn. xxox

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  29. Tumblewords:April 14, 2011 at 12:54 AM

    A reflective piece. It renders a sense of peace and vision.

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  30. Margaret PangertApril 14, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Thank you, Tumblewords! Yes, I was aiming for the familiar and not the excitement. I'm glad you stopped by.

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  31. Katherine KrigeApril 14, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    yes, I have seen a strange thing or two, and conversely some clarity with a glass of wine or two.

    You have some lovely haiku here. I wandered around reading a verse or two.

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  32. TrellissimoApril 15, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Seems like the wine shifted his perspective! LOL

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  33. ReflectionsApril 16, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    Interesting take on the prompt... the glass does change the perspective a bit doesn't it.

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  34. Steve IsaakApril 16, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Entertaining, life-smart snippet. Most enjoyable!

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  35. Vinay Leo R.April 17, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    entertaining and sweetly written flash fiction! nice take on the Magpie image for sure.

    My Magpie Post

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  36. Margaret PangertApril 18, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    Hi kkridge! Clarity or confusion, either way, it's working! Thanks for stopping by! ps: I also wanted to tell you how funny that granny email was! xxox

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  37. Margaret PangertApril 18, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    Hi Trellissimo~ He seems to have had more success with his glass of wine than you had with yours! ;) Thanks for stopping by!

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  38. Margaret PangertApril 18, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Thanks, Reflections! I loved your poem; am now behind, so will comment on your eggs! xxox

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  39. Margaret PangertApril 18, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    Hi, Steve! Thanks for your comments! I like your unexpected pregnancy story but will comment on the eggs as I am behind. See you there!

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  40. Margaret PangertApril 18, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    Hi Vinay! Thanks for your kind, appreciative words. I hope to see you on "eggs."

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  41. Hyde Park Poetry PalaceApril 23, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    stunning piece.


    beautiful write…

    Invite you to join poets rally week 42 by sharing a free verse today.

    You will love the encouragements you get once you are in and make commitment.

    Your poetry rocks!

    awards for you!


    Hope to see you in!
    Have A Blessed Easter!
    xxx

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