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Welcome to My Home

Imagine a candy crop,
with deliciously scented fancy drops
That crush between your childhood toes,
where the weight makes cotton candy float.
Towards licorice stripes that seem to breathe,
with ease...

Where friends would meet to taste the treats,
somewhere down along the steam
That seemed effervescent to the touch,
where neon-blasted-colored fish host
The trees that linger by the side,
and swing icicle taffies to the cries
Of chocolate-covered vanilla ice cream,
that dreams…

Of seasons filled with marmalade
and fudge birds singing creme de la
Through marshmallow clouds that melt when hot,
above the gooey grass that drops
The celebrated spicy hot
that tickles the tongue,
And brings you back to the land
of NOT!

Oct. 2/99

WHO IS AIGRE-DOUX?

And well you might ask. A close friend recently told me my heart is as big as the universe. It made me feel good. Then said, I keep them on their toes. I like that one even better because it meant I make them think.

All right, then, a little bit about me - I am a lot older then 38, and a lot youner then 59- I will admit no more. I have flaming red hair and a temper to match. My life's work and the way I earn my living is via painting. I love painting in oil but do not believe I have the extraordinary talent required to make it bigtime in this media. Most of my art is done (and sold) in the medium of stained glass. Art is definitely evolution, as I grow so does my art. I did not study art. I studied Forensic psychology. Eventually, my art overtook my studies and I dropped out. To be honest, I was born with most of my talent. It improves as my view of the world expands. As my eyes open in wisdom, my painting gets better.

I am looking for a picture to post here. It is a favorite that I send to online male admirers who insist on having a photo of me. It looks like I am picking my nose (I am not, but the camera angle makes it appear so :) When I find it, I will post it in the spot to the left which is reserved for it.

I designed and had built my own house in the last couple of years. I had no idea it would be such a project. The picture at the beginning of my page shows the backyard as seen from my deck. I designed this area, contracted to have it built, but do all the maintenance myself. My home is becoming a real home to me now - my art, my yardwork, my animals, and my living all give rise to making this spot in the Universe my very own.

I have loved much in my life - have a sister whom I adore. Although unmarried, I am not unattached. I am very involved with a wonderful man. He is ten years older then I. He works all over the world, so we just see each other every few months. He has been a friend of mine for more then twenty-eight years... my life is completely fulfilled. In addition to a multitude of RL (real life) friends), I also have online friends in a guild called Order of the Golden Rose whom I have become enormously fond of. My friends there have been with me, listened to my poetry, encouraged me, allowed me to encourage them, and generally been the kind of friends, albeit hundreds or even thousands of miles away, that one dreams of. I am talking here about people like:

• VenusEnvy (from Australia, working on her PhD - a generous, loving soul, with a great sense of humor, who seems to be my especial friend)
• LadyDanger (from Canada, a talented writer and co-leader of the guild - she and Hap have provided a safe haven for me and all the others - she and I also seem to have a special bond)
• Haplo (LadyDanger's husband, originally from New Zealand - a quiet, backing man with a great sense of humor and artistry, co-leader of OGR and its webmaster)
• SteamCat (a former Navy guy who loves his wife and family, friends, country and life, not necessarily in that order, but maybe :) - a practical man with a quiet passion which includes anything that J.R.R. Tolkien ever wrote)
• Merlinsghost (a loving, lovely guy from Southern Cali - a talented poet and writer, he makes me laugh, and now is deeply in love - couldn't happen to a nicer guy)
• SparkMage (one of life's treasures - an intelligent compassionate young person, with great writing talent)
• Trip-Chord (our resident musician in England - a band member of a very talented punk rock band, Trip is creative, passionate, fun)
• Conscience (another talented member of our group - whose art expresses his inner world)
• Puff (our magic dragon - she is a brave, wise old soul in a young body - making a life for herself and her son, with determination and courage - and a talented artist and poet)
• and many others who visit OGR from time to time, who have enriched my life just by being there and being them.

Oh, you wanted to visit Order of the Golden Rose? Well, why didn't you say so? Go here.

What kind of dragon am I inside?

A GOLD Dragon Lies Beneath! I took the Inner Dragon online quiz and found out I am a Gold Dragon on the inside. My Inner Dragon is the mosthonorable of all. Golds are the third rarest of all the dragons (after Platinum and Chromatic dragons) and have a station in society that reflects their rarity. I am what one might call a Draconic Knight. Golds live by a strict code of chivalry and commitment. Remember Draco? Yep, Gold Dragon. My appearance is fearsome and all-mighty but I'd never stoop so low as to bring any harm to a human. I'm one of only two dragon types that are aligned "Lawful Good" and demonstrate great magical proficiency. My piety, beauty, wisdom, and inner strengrth are absolutely without parallel. Of course, being a Gold Dragon isn't all high ethics and codes. I like to fly around scaring things, advise humans in their affairs, and shapeshift. Strike that, I LOVEto shapeshift. And I'm great at it. In fact, who's to say I'm not really a Gold Dragon after all? My favorable attributes are honor, truth, kindness, gold, wisdom, bravery, and trustworthiness. If anyone threatens or tries to kill me, I could strike back with my breath weapon - Fire. But then, no one's tried anything that stupid in the last couple thousand years. After all, I'm about 54 feet long.

To send before the mirrored force,
standing beyond the glare,
a so crossed sainted knight,
and the maiden so fair Zur.
United in stance and heart,
with locks that entwine,
a single beating that
ravished the lands of Thine.
~

With crimsoned clover and daffodils,
the dragon Muir laid amidst.
One purpose seized the fire,
that crept upon his breath,
to hold within his clutches,
the red that floated fine,
the sweetness of her scented bloom, that
traveled through her lover's mind.

~

Reflected within, not without,
I watched beyond the realm,
the taking of the sword, his blade,
as he held it to her lips.
Be my strength, the guided force,
that strikes upon its flesh.
The tough unmanacled armored hisser
that lays within the mist.

~

It is so, as she kissed the silver pure,
and passed her fingers upon the sharp,
the blood blessed her knighted suitor.
This virgin love fell before his feet,
weeping with guided remorse as she
made her final plea. Be not the one
that lingers dead, that dreams can only see.
Conquer the vile upon his breath,
and bring his tongue to me.

He wandered into midnight,
the blackness took it toll.
With rips and tears from mangled trees,
dense within the fold.
Her tears became the arrow, that gathered up the light.
Within the dark a brightened path,
to guide her own sweet knight.

~

The stench took its seat upon his flared demands,
as he crossed from now, into never never land.
The thunder rose and charred the field,
a hundred feet or more. This knight alone,
a sad replenish, against the foe of four.
The dragon green shimmered with the sweet
that permeated man.
To have, to hold to its delight
the maiden within its grasp.

~

He took his sword that had so been blessed,
the kiss that felt so far,
and swiped upon the meadow blades
to test the sharp of Zor.
He hid beneath the shadows,
beneath the dragon's breast.
Darting in and darting out,
to pass the cunning test.
It bent its head, directed flames that
glowed upon the land.
Scorching the just scent of man,
and its own tender flesh.

~

The knight had his honor,
and took his Zor in hand,
and with a thrust beneath the breast
that laid the heart of Muir,
sainted by her tender touch,
he drove the blade so pure.
He rolled up from under,
quickly to the wail,
just before the dreaded beast
laid upon the spell.
"I shall have, it is mine"
the knight let out a scream,
and with a stroke it was his,
the tongue did not bleed.

~

The light was that of fables,
that showed upon the Muir,
and with a wisp, the breeze did blow
within the land of Thine.
Upon the shadowed ashes,
of the dragon that once stood,
appeared the maiden Zur
to bond with her sweet knight.
Now for favor, just reward,
as the softness of blood shall flow.
On linen and lace, the trails of victory
upon their wedding bed.
'Tis the night for lovers meant,
upon the dragon's breath.

Nature
by Aigre-Doux
June 11, 2001

I heard the songbird
through the thicket and taller trees
joyous to the notions
the ebbs and flows
each note fluttering briefly
resting just about the filtering light where dust was evident

I saw the rabbit hiding
nose and rock seeming to merge
just at the point were the abundance of green ceases
completely motionless
all but a twitch where the whiskers would ride the wind, upon smelling.

I could hear the crickets
blast the air with comical lyrics
though resonant to approaching footsteps
and hops, as to not be a tasty morsel
a jester of the bug world
heaving to and fro upon crunching brown leaves

This is Roscoe, my beloved other kidlet - who helps me stay tuned to nature as we dwell in our garden home.

The moss and damp earth do surely have a sweet smell
it enters and reveals itself even on the palate
as it teams on the earth, so it teams within me
and I can fill the life as the earth breathes

I am compelled to stand
for an extended length of time
for I feel even my own life at this moment.
every heart beat, every breath
synchronized to the flowing rhythm of the earth.
It is now less about me,
as the path winds before my feet
and all that can be so elusive becomes more evident.

Lady alive with the glow of life...
Not marching to the beat
Of any drummer but her own,
Yet able to sway
And clap with delight
At the irresistible beat of another's tune.

Lady alive with the love of life,
Full of laughter
And some tears...
Not enough to show,
Just enough to let us know
The goddess has her toes of clay.

Lady alive with such a rosy mysticism
Enfolding a pure soul's dance...
Hither and yon, and
A jig with a pig;
Only a free soul dares
To be so different.

Lady alive, catching us all
Up in her magic web,
In her intricate patterns
Of beauty...
What a privilege to know
This lady alive.

*hug for Aigre-Doux*

LD

May I say...
by Aigre-Doux

This poem was beyond the simplification that the word "beautiful" can express. It reached deeper then any of my senses could fathom, to my very soul...a place where one cannot express in
words, the dynamic impact it has. It tickled my spirit, giving it cause to rejoice. It says, "I am here, and I am known." Never have I been so honored, with so much clarity! Never has a another
woman taken the time, nor the energy, to recognize my path. Yes, I have female friends, but they are
defined by the superficial access of the mind.

These words you have written are a sense of a soul's validation. Much like a man dreams of having a son to bear his name, this poem proclaims, "I was here,"and even if for the briefest moment, "I was
seen." Tears? Yes, it seems the purest form of expression for me now, as I strive to show my appreciation. I will cherish this poem always, and remember the beautiful lady that honored me with it!

Sweet, sweet thoughts towards you!

Friends:

My friend has come to relieve me with my animals, so I can meet my deadline. Five days they have given me as a gift. I am so honored by their love and thoughtfulness.

Haplo:

Poor AD, mother of three,
Animal lover supreme.
Comforts pigs, gerbils and dogs,
Only to have them scream.
Holding them close, til they're comatose,
Then finally you dream.

There ye go sweetie, a free poem - a whole 2 minutes worth of composing heh.

Hope everything gets back to a regular routine - you need more sleep!!

SteamCat:

Your strength and compassion are inspiring.

VenusEnvy:

I admire you AD, for all you do. For your compassion, strength and loving ways. The creatures in your life are so lucky to have you in theirs.

I always say it, but I wish we were neigbours. I'd love to sit down and have a cuppa with you, have a chat and a giggle, and send you to bed while I tend to the worries in your life for a little while.

I must have known it was going to happen. The following is a poem I wrote when I was 16 years old. I posted it on the OGR forum on September 11, 1999 (note the numbers - 9-11-1999), two full years before the terrorist-created tragedy in America on September 11, 2001.

ONE MORE TEAR
by Aigre-doux
Posted Sept. 11, 1999
(but written when she was 16)
------------------------------

Tears flowed,
gathering about my feet,
spreading into pools of liquid gold.
Where they lingered on the flowers
of no wax vinyl,
imprinted beneath multiple layers of sheen.
Each saltine droplet crashed,
as waves upon a distant shore,
without the blue hue.
No longer did I feel the sting of my tears,
but cried for the action.
The visual table set before me,
enter the rose, the knight, dreams forgotten
bitter tales, and sweet luscious nights
all
tumbling
down

crystallized on the outskirts!