A DREAM SPARKS in several places at once, roots like lightning, twining impossibilities together.

The dreamer’s feet waltz over moonlit grass and wet sand, spinning into sky a-twinkle with stars. The dream spans time, space, and spirit.

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^{Image courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.}

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Rich night, painted with brilliant pricks of light, draws the dreamer, but earth pulls as powerfully as sky. Fireflies lure a willing heart beneath the canopy of trees. Sighs blend with breeze.

Wind tugs eyes closed, arms and mouth open wide, throat exposed in a breath of rapture.

Not to be forgotten, fear tries to bind the dreamer with shark-toothed thoughts and shame-thick lies, its habitual deceit imploring the dreamer not to dream. “Sleep without wonder,” it whispers. “There is nothing real to be found here. Better to hide. Better to be blind.”

But the dreamer turns from the liar, heeding the call of the sea. Ocean crashes her salty song, making the dreamer's soul reel in depth and danger and delight—tempting skin to wear nothing but saltwater and moonlight.

The dreamer, deliciously torn, gives into the tangled dream. Earth, sea, and sky seduce the senses, and the traitor, Fear, is fooled into slumber.

Apprehension recedes. Freedom awakens.

Nature knows its greatness, its potency and purpose. The dreamer, melting into surrender, recognizes that everything is woven together—realizes that a star sparkles in every heart.

And a song is born.

Fireflies in My Heart, Hands in My Hair.

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The wind is like hands in my hair
The night breathes its song
The pull is so strong

I trip over fear as I dare
To follow the breeze
I run through the trees

Stars call brightly
I shine back shyly
But there’s no denying
I’m one of them

Fear-lies slide
Through my mind
I close my eyes
And give in

The wind is like hands in my hair
The sea sings her song
The tide is so strong

I walk the sand feet and soul bare
The waves dance with me
The night sets me free

Stars call brightly
I shine back smiling
‘Cause there’s no denying
I’m one of them

Ocean sighs
And fireflies
I close my eyes
And give in

The wind is like hands in my hair
The stars hum their song
Now dawn won’t be long

It’s up to the sky that I stare
The sea glows for me
The night sets me free

I close my eyes
And sail inside
A dream so wide
I start to spin

My spirit flies
Into the sky
I breathe a sigh
And give in

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Original writing by Katrina Ariel

A note about the music:

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I’m going to call this version a rough draft. I think this song needs a lot more than what I’m set up to do right now. It needs some @yidneth and @isaria magic: keyboards and sound effects, multiple instruments, a mic with some reverb... Either of you want to collaborate?

I edited the lyrics slightly since recording this last night. I expect the music will evolve as the song matures, as well.

I almost deleted this video, actually, because the performance isn’t as perfect as I want it to be, but I’m facing my fear of imperfection and embracing the fact that this is where I’m at, right now, and it’s a good place to be.

Now and always, I keep moving forward, learning, exploring, and dreaming.

Inspiration, and a reminder to shine.

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I won’t reveal too much behind this song and story right now, but I will touch on the fear and liberation addressed by this piece with a well-known quote:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

This quote is so powerful, every time I read it! And I didn’t think of it while I was writing this song, but after. The song and story are about self-recognition, just like this quote.

For me, the easiest way to remember who I truly am is through connection with nature. When I am afraid to shine, I must look to the sky and remind myself that I am a star.

Thanks for reading!

This has been an entry for the #celfchallenge contest sponsored by @sndbox and hosted by @celfmagazine with the help of @anomadsoul and @guyfawkes4-20. Check out the contest post for more details.

Whatever happens, keep singing your song!

Peace. @katrina-ariel

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Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of Steemit.

dragon art: Liiga Smilshkalne

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