The Nymph and the Dryad ~ Part 1

~ Veronica 
O, Stranger, have you ever been
To Fairyland, where things unseen
Unfold before your very eyes -
A mystery, a paradise
Among the quiet moors and flowers -
Behold the realm of magic powers.
You answer: "I have never seen
Such mysteries, except for dreams,
Where truth goes hand in hand with lies -
The mind wakes up before it dies."

Well, you may not believe a word,
Although the story must be told:
This legend, beautiful like snow,
Was born a thousand years ago.
Two creatures quaint: one thrives at night,
Her match is day's eternal bride.
One lives below the river deep,
The other drinks the nectar sweet
From every flower on her way.
Now, tell me, have you seen them?
- "Nay."

The spirits carried by the breeze
Remain, while their bodies cease
To roam along the earthly path,
Just when the mortal beings pass
By their Queendom made of glass -
Still imperceptible to us.
Nevertheless, their song I've heard:
In voices, lovelier than birds,
These maidens sing it to the trees
And to the ocean's cold abyss.

Sometimes, when you can't sleep at night,
A single ray, obscure, yet bright,
Leaves on your lips a gentle kiss -
The Nymph awakes amid the mist,
And, as the river hums nearby,
Sings you a tender lullaby.
When, in the morning, with a spark
A crocus opens, or a lark
Bathes its feathers in the dew -
The Dryad whispers rhymes to you.

These creatures seem alike, and yet,
The languid faeries never met.
It would have been a daunting task:
One wakes at dawn; her mate - at dusk.
One weaves long dresses from wild ferns;
Her rival hunts the depths for pearls.
Yet, once upon a summer's eve,
The Dryad felt an urge to leave
Her mellow forest, bittersweet -
And ventured out into the deep…
This painting captures a group of beautiful forest faeries dancing in the moonlight in flowing floral dresses.
Fairy Dance by Hans Zatzka

Illustrations used in my “Fairy Book”:

  • Undine – Wood nymphs deep in the forest 1901 by Franklin Booth;
  • The Dryad by Henry Justice Ford from The Lilac Fairy Book;
  • The Little Mermaid by Helen Stratton;
  • The Water-Lily Fairy from Elizabeth Gordon’s ‘Flower Fairies’;
  • Dryad And The Tree Spirit by Josephine Wall;
  • Chromolithograph Mermaid  from 1903 Dr. Miles’ Pain Pills Calendar

To be continued…

Published by Veronica

Hello, lovely stranger! My name is Veronika Sizova, and I am currently studying in Canada. Since early childhood, I have been mesmerized by the literary art. The words – exquisite, intricately intertwined, sophisticated, magnificently powerful and fragile simultaneously, – remind me of the oceanic waves, and poetry hides in their unfathomable depths. This place is meant to become a sanctuary for the tortured souls, aflame with a passion for literature.

19 thoughts on “The Nymph and the Dryad ~ Part 1”

  1. Veronica… this is spell-bindingly beautiful… some of the lines are so enchanting and the book you have made is gorgeous… this just makes me want to live in poetry forever and ever. Some of the lines are so so fine…

    “You answer: “I have never seen
    Such mysteries, except for dreams,
    Where truth goes hand in hand with lies –
    The mind wakes up before it dies.”

    and “the ocean’s cold abyss” — a thrilling and chilling reality, but we are tempted into the love and bliss of what sings to and of it.

    Thank you for this!! 😍❤️✨👌🙏

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    1. Thank you, dearest Lia! Your comments mean a world to me. I am deeply touched and happy beyond words! Hopefully, we’ll keep in touch through our art despite the perilous journeys awaiting us. With gratitude, Veronica 😉

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      1. I love that… I definitely want that. Thank you lovely and dear Veronica… I feel so happy to know you and your work here!! 💛💛💛

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  6. My day is this beautifully ended on a high note of music from your poetry, Veronica! ⭐️ My hectic workload from the office and all the logistical need for moving to another place kept me from reading your melody of the heart 😍 ”The Nymph awakes amid the mist,
    And, as the river hums nearby,
    Sings you a tender lullaby.
    When, in the morning, with a spark
    A crocus opens, or a lark
    Bathes its feathers in the dew –
    The Dryad whispers rhymes to you.” this is evocative of the Greek mythology coming vividly alive in my mind’s garden. With these images, I know my dreamscape will be as fanciful as your words and pictures, Veronica 🧚‍♂️🧚‍♀️🧚⭐️

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    1. Dearest Stephanie, thank you so much for your eloquent words of praise, especially for calling this poem “melody of the heart”! You do not need to apologize in the very least – frankly speaking, my mind was taken by worldly things this week, so I am guilty, as well! 😉 Hopefully, everything is alright at work, and you have more time for creative expression now. I wish you luck with moving into a new home! Can’t wait to read more of your excellent writing. ❤️

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  7. Very beautiful…reminiscent of William Blake, who remains my favorite poet/artist on this earth. Thank you for providing a realm we can enter on this page–it is a lovely blend of art and story.

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    1. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, dear Maria! I highly appreciate your allusion to Blake – his gift of combining art and poetry was my original inspiration!💌☺️

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  9. This is so beautiful!! I wish it were available as a printed copy. Thanks for sharing, so romantic and elegant, it speaks to my noble dryad/naiad self 🙏🏾🌿

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  10. This is so beautiful!! I wish it were available as a printed copy. Thanks for sharing, so romantic and elegant, it speaks to my noble dryad/naiad self 🙏🏾🌿

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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