Page 37 of Sensing Selma
NINE
“Did Moon Manor inspireyou at all,” Ayra asked when I met with her in the music room the next day.
“It did. There’s something about this place that is just so...”I sought the right adjective. “Happy, I guess is the best way to describe it. Your gardens are filled with such lovely blooms, but it’s not a formal and structured garden. The paths meander in such a nice, relaxing way bringing you from the roses to the dahlias to the violets. And that water fountain...pure joy.”
Ayra smiled. “I have to admit that fountain is the pride of my garden. The sound of the water falling into the basin never fails to invigorate me. Did you have a chance to see our bridges?”
“No. I guess I didn’t go out far enough but I did catch a glimpse of it on our way into the estate.”
“One of them is nearby, but the one that is a little more inspirational is well beyond that flowering field. It really is quite romantic. Perhaps you’ll recognize it fromPride and Prejudice.”
I nodded. “Is that what you want of the music? Romance?”
“To a large degree, yes. Of course there are moments of serenity, of tension and of heartache, and we’ll get to that later. But I want you to start with romance.”
“I think that will be easy enough.”
After our meeting I headed out in search of this very romantic bridge. I didn’t know what to expect. What could a romantic bridge look like? Covered with garlands of flowers? Statues of Venus?
When Ayra had mentionedPride and Prejudice, I didn’t have the courage to admit that I’d never seen the film, although I’d heard so much about it.
I passed the gardens, took to that open field, over a small hill and finally, there in the distance, I saw a small white bridge that crossed the narrow portion of a large pond.
Approaching the simple wooden structure, I smiled as several bright green frogs jumped out of the way. There wasn’t much in the way of adornment, though I had no doubt that would be changed if the bridge were to appear in this movie as well. But there was something romantic in its simplicity, in its setting.
As I reached the first wooden plank of the bridge, I tapped my foot against it to test it. Who knows? Perhaps it had rotted through since last appearing in a Keely production.
But it held sturdy, and I stepped up to cross to the center of the bridge. The sound of my footsteps on the wood already had me playing a light and lively tune in my head. It was romantic in melody, but with a fun rhythm. For some reason, the bridge turned me away from melodies that were too sappy or overly sentimental...It brought about a sense of pleasurable togetherness, of spending time enjoying being with a loved one.
Yes. That was the angle I would attack this romantic song from. Fun togetherness.
I reached the center of the bridge and looked out at the water. For such a small pond, its depth was impressive. Leaning over the railing, I looked into the depths, seeking more inspiration. The water was clear and calm. My fun and romantic melody turned to something more profound, like when a crush blossoms into true love.
Yes. My mind played with the melody, a lyric or two took form. I danced across the width of the bridge, the melody moving my body in the most pleasurable way.
Mother once told me
Don’t fall too fast
If he’s trying too hard
It just won’t last
But every time I’m with you
I want to...
“Ah! Oh! Ah!” I jumped and hopped and ran as a garden snake suddenly came up between two planks. “No! Oh, no!”
I jumped up to sit on the railing, my heart pounding as the snake slithered its way to me.
“No!”
I leaned back, fearful of the ugly reptile, but lost my balance and fell into the water, headfirst. My garbled screams went nowhere as I fought to find which way was up. My mouth filled with water. My eyes refused to focus. My heart pounded harder and harder as panic took over.
