The cottage was warm and filled with the scent of freshly baked scones. Claire stood at the table, her hands covered in dough, dressed in flowing green velvet.

"Oh, I hope you like it.", she said, over and over.

They ate plate after plate of scones with butter, jam and cream. She was happy to chat with Claire, while helping her prepare the feast. She even went so far as to joke,

"Look! I'm jammin' with Claire."

When she rose from the table, she was so full she wondered how she would ever make the journey back down the hill to the bus.

They made their way to the adjoining room. There, they found her harps patiently waiting.

"I hope you like my music.", she said.

In the midst

of that deep night

I was awoken by

the screeching fox

and the night

was so fragrant and silent

said I couldn’t bear

to let it pass in slumber

So I walked by the fields

and through the misty night

My way was made clear

through the dark depths of the wood

where the shadows mingle

in a thousand ways

and the light of the moon

sheltering me from the dark night

I see him standing

waiting there for me

and his frame is so cold and far away

I wish he’d take me tender by my hand

and through this misty night

we’d walk together

The horses raise their heads

in question

but there is no pain here

here

And as I stare upon his perfect face

and see the fathoms deep within his eyes

the sadness, the human loneliness

he says with a sigh

things are not right

and he goes from me

And the dawn

slowly chasing away the moon

and it stares at the rising sun for a while

like my lover

fades with the dawning

fades with the dawn

"Symbolic" by Claire Roche

http://www.clairerochemusic.com/

Claire's music brought many of the Pilgrims to tears. She sat there, unable to do much else. This magical creature was so talented, yet so humble.

She chose two CD's from the pile, paid John, then stood in line to have Claire sign one for her.

"Thank you for jammin' with me."