Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Stairway

"There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold"... Led Zeppelin


It was several years ago that I received an invitation to the Spring banquet, being held at the Palace.  I was honored that I was invited and excited to attend.  I arrived just as the sun was setting that Saturday afternoon.  As I pulled up to the gate, the guard stopped me, "Identify yourself," he said.  I gave him my name and he responded, "I can't allow you in, without the password."  I thought to myself... What password, no one gave me a password?  I glanced at the hood of my car and said the first thing that popped into my mind..."transmission."  To my amazement the gate opened.

I drove inside the gate and handed the valet my keys.  I could see all the people in the courtyard, so I said a quick prayer and started walking over there.  I was captivated by the beauty of the scenery.  I then scanned the crowd until I found the King.  I finally spotted him and started walking towards him.  As I was walking, people kept stopping me to chitchat or to offer me something to eat or drink.

When I finally broke free, the King was gone.  I decided to go to my guest room and pray.


"And the voices of those who stand looking"...


Later that evening I could hear voices in the hall.  I opened up the door and saw three girls drinking and laughing.  One of the girls said to me, "Hey, if you wanna get close to the King, then here"... as she slid a round suitcase towards me.  I bent down and opened it.  I found lingerie and erotic material inside and the girls began laughing at me.

I looked up and said, "Many women have made it into the heart of the King's bedroom, but very few have entered the heart of his bathroom."  The laughter stopped, as the girls looked at me dumbfounded.  They had no idea what I meant, by what I had just said.  I slid the suitcase back over to them and walked into the kitchen.

The King's cupbearer was in the kitchen playing poker, with a few friends. His girlfriend walked up to me, hugged me and handed me a glass of Chardonnay. We were talking and catching up when I overheard some girl yell... "What's she doing here?"  She then started throwing accusations at me.  "I'm sorry, you must have me mistaken for someone else?"  I said.

The King's cupbearer stood up for me and told her to calm down but she was obviously drunk and hysterical.  I turned around to walk out and she began screaming and cursing at me, "I know exactly who you are... you BLEEP-ing whore!"  I turned around and rebuked her.  All of the sudden she started throwing up.  Everyone in the room was screaming and grossing out.

I felt sorry for her, so I walked over to her.  I cleaned her up and then helped her over to the couch, in the next room.  She slurred her words, "I'm sorry... and then she mumbled... I know he chose you."   I didn't know who or what she was talking about?  I just told her that I forgave her and to lay down and rest, until she felt better.  I headed back into the kitchen, grabbed the mop and a bucket and cleaned up her mess.  I then went back to the guest room.

I grabbed my Bible, laid down on the bed and began to cry out to God.  I read the words of King David before going to sleep... "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."


"Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings"... 


The next morning I awoke to the sound of birds singing.  I got up and opened the door to the bedroom, it was quiet and peaceful.  I started walking around the Palace and I didn't see anyone.  I figured everyone was still asleep, so I decided to head up the stairs, towards the King's room.

As I was walking up the stairs, I saw two female Angels sitting on the banister. I said, "I want to see the King... I just want to talk to him... how can I help him?  Please tell me what I should do?"

Female Angel #1:  You need to serve him first, before you can help him.
Female Angel #2:  I can't tell you because it's going to hurt you.

Before I could respond, they had vanished... as feathers fell from the banister onto the stairs.  Hurt me???  How could it possibly hurt me?... Serve him???  I have been serving him!"... I thought to myself.  I kept walking up the stairs and they seemed to never end.  It was like the stairs were expanding before my eyes, the further I would go up.  What is going on??? 

I started asking God why the stairs were expanding and what the Angels meant, by what they said?  That's when I saw a video flash on the wall, like someone had just pushed the play button, to the movie about my life...

I SAW all that I would have to endure and all those that I would have to leave at the bottom of the staircase, if I continued climbing up.  I stood there paralyzed on the steps and began to cry... "God, I don't know if I'm strong enough to go through all of that?  Maybe it will be easier if I just go back down?"

I looked back down the stairs and by that time I was so high up, that it frightened me!  I froze for a few minutes and then I took one step backwards down the stairs.  That's when I heard a voice, "Don't look down!  You've come too far to go back now, come here... take my hand"...

I couldn't see his face but I grabbed ahold of his hand and started going back up the stairs.  I asked him his name, but he disappeared before my eyes and I was left holding a feather in my hand.  I held onto the feather and kept walking up the stairs.

I started becoming weak and my legs were shaking.  I couldn't possibly make it up, one more step.  I decided to rest for a bit, so I sat down on the stairs and laid my head down on the step. 


"And a new day will dawn for those who stand long"...


Some time had passed and I heard the voices of the twins (Elvis and Jesse Presley), echoing in the stairwell.  I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or not but I was hoping it was our Angels, coming up the stairs...

"Five-0, Five-0... Farfalla, what's up?  hahaha  Come on, wake up... you have to be ready by midnight."

I opened my eyes and saw the King's Angel Francis (Elvis), standing in front of me.  "What time is it?"  I said.  "It's 8:00pm, come on, you have to get ready for the banquet." "I can't make it, I'm too weak... I can't climb any more stairs."  "You don't realize how close you are... come here... I'll carry you the rest of the way."  I stood up and jumped on his back, as he gave me a piggyback ride up the stairs.  My Angel Tobias (Jesse), was leading us and cracking jokes, along the way.

We finally made it to the top of the stairs and I hopped off of his back.  We were standing in front of huge double doors that were closed.  I could hear Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin, blaring from the stereo inside.  I yelled, "How do we get inside?  He won't be able to hear us, if we knock."  They both looked at me and walked right through the door, as feathers fell to the floor.  I didn't know what to do???  I just dropped to my knees and began to pray...

"Lord, if I have found favor in the sight of the King, and if it pleases the King, may You grant my request?"... 

Suddenly the doors opened up like an elevator.  I looked up and walked inside.I couldn't believe it!  I was inside the King's bathroom.  I looked around and captured every single image... The decor, the tile, the crosses, etc.  I then noticed that all of my personal belongings that I had left in the guest room, were in there.  I don't know how it got there but I was amazed that I was even in there?!

I decided, I better get ready for the banquet and I jumped in the shower.  So many different emotions were running through me.  It was like butterflies on overdrive.  haha  I can't explain it, but it was a different kind of happiness?! This was JOY... like I had never, ever felt or experienced before.

I could still hear 'Stairway to Heaven' playing as I was in the shower...

"Dear Lady, can you hear the wind blow and did you know,
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind"...

When I got out of the the shower, the mirror was fogged but I could see the reflection of the TV, coming from the King's bedroom.  I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled.  I couldn't believe I wasn't dreaming!  I kept thanking God for sending me five Angels along the stairway, to guide me, to give me hope and to help me up the stairs.

I finished putting on my makeup, did my hair, put my dress onand glanced over at the clock.  It was 11:51pm and I said out loud, "He knows the end... from the beginning!"


"With a word she can get what she came for"... 


Sometimes the steps we take in life, aren't always easy.  Not everyone will be on our side and a lot of times, we will have to walk the steps alone.  But, we are never really alone.  God will never leave us.  He will always send FEATHERS along the way to carry us, when we are weak.

It only takes ONE word of hope, one door to be opened, one opportunity, or one invitation... to change EVERYTHING!  Just keep climbing up those steps and NEVER give up!  Soon you will SEE, all of your DREAMS becoming reality. And you'll find that all along, you've been walking...

Step by step, in rhythm with Heaven!


Led Zeppelin ~ Stairway to Heaven


"And if you listen very hard,
the tune will come to you at last"...


21 comments:

Anonymous said...

bleep!

-S-

Jessica M said...

Wow...beautiful post.

fantasy in practicality said...

Interesting, nice :)

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Truly awesome writing! You intrigued me so, I couldn't stop reading.
Well done!

Melissa Tandoc said...

I loved how vividly you described everything in here. I found myself totally immersed in your journey ~ the eagerness to see the King, the conversations with the ladies, the angels and the hesitation to go on further. It's almost like being there myself, seeing, hearing and experiencing climbing the stairs and not knowing how to get there.

Was it the climb or that desire to reach the King that mattered most?

I'm so glad you recognized all your emotions here.

I had to review an analysis of STH before commenting. I've known the song only for the controversy on backmasking. But the original intent of the songwriter was "hope". Your post exuded the same effect...'This hope reflecting some of the ideals of the Hippie movement, that the values of human society will turn away from desires for greed and wealth and power towards universal love and kindness and the evolution of the soul (http://www.inthelight.co.nz/ledzep/stairway.htm)

I admire and appreciate everything you write Lisa :) You are poetry and music :)

Unknown said...

Powerful...

Yes, step by Step into the dream become reality..
.
Nobody knows your steps but God, and then you follow. Nobody knows the steps the heart needs to take to fulfill a dream.

Rimly said...

Your stories are so gripping and interesting that I am unable to stop till I come to the end. You have a beautiful way of expressing life Lisa.

http://rimlybezbaruah.blogspot.in/2012/03/aftermath.html

TommyB said...

Damn girrrl, I had to read this a few times. I couln't figure out if you were dreaming or awake or half of the time dreaming and half awake. I started feeling like I was trippin on some stuff, back in the day. It's nice to know the king is a fan of Zep. Seriously this is some great writing. Is it fair to say your writing gets me high? lol

Patricia Singleton said...

Farfalla, you have a wonderful way with storytelling that kept me entranced the whole way. What a beatiful way to describe our journey through life back to our spiritual center - God, the one and only real king.

♥●• İzdihër •●♥ said...

Your way of description is just so lovely and beautiful.


Your new follower
with lots of love :).

The Poet said...

Hello.
This is a profound piece of writing.
Very enjoyable read.
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate the visit too. Hope to see you again soon!

Thoughts Of Beauty In The Stillness Of Dawn...

bennjamin said...

As always, I come here, read, and have the usual trouble for a minute or so, to get into it. My cage is rationality. That's where I feel safe - even if it's just a way to be apathetic to the things that hurt in life. 'Rationalizing'. And then I realize the kind of moron that I am, and the peculiar talent that you have to make a dream grow legs and walk into the mind of someone else - like a healer, like a breeze of fresh air on a hot summer day, or like the smell and feeling of a nearby campfire in midwinter when our face feels like covered with frost.

We are so different, Lisa. Even when I'm not being rational - I dive into some darker music, want to hear heavy metal guitars splitting the air, growling, screamo voices bringing reality down to a point where I can grab it with my bare hands and tell myself: there is hope, because this feels like me. I never think of walking up the stairway, as you do. My shadow's taller than my soul... (Led Zeppelin). Yet... "The tune will come to you at last" - It makes sense to the soul.

You will always remind me of... well, you know who. You alleviate the suffering of the unfriended, unforgiven, bruised soul. Dreaming is believing. Belief in possibilities. Believing that in the end, we can love even at times when we feel unloved. Because it's about the secret of living this life "step by step". As you wrote "Step by step, in rhythm with Heaven" ... Definitely a phrase to echo in my mind for a while.

Hugs, my friend.

Rachel Hoyt said...

Wow! Where do you get these stories? Very inspiring. I look forward to hearing my tune, at last. I've heard whispers...

Farfalla Dreams ~ Lisa Marie Farfalla said...

@-S- Bleep... bleep! ;)

@Jessica M. Thank you for reading!

@fantasy in practicality Thanks for the comment!

@Martha J. M. Orlando Thank you for the SWEET comment. I'm glad you were intrigued. ;)

@melissa Well for me, it was definitely the desire to reach the King the most.!!! I would have preferred to skip over the hurt and pain of the climb. haha I'm sure that the climb is what mattered to God the most, the fact that I never gave up my FAITH! I love that you felt like you were right there with me, as you were reading! :) Thank you for the BEAUTIFUL compliment about me being "poetry and music." I love that!!!

@Harmony Courtney AMEN!!! Very true indeed! Many people don't realize the sacrifice either! Thank you for reading and commenting.

@Rimly Thank you for the BEAUTIFUL compliment. I'm glad it was gripping and interesting! I appreciate you reading and commenting!

@TommyB HAHAHAHA!!! I did laugh out loud when I read this!!! I haven't heard that yet, but I am taking it as a HUGE compliment! Besides, it's the cheapest and healthiest high you can get! hehe

@Patricia Singleton AMEN! Thank you for the WONDERFUL compliment. I'm glad you were entranced and enjoyed it! I appreciate you taking the time to read and post a comment.

@İzdihër Thank you so much, I truly appreciate it! I'm glad to have you as a follower!

@Andy Thank you for the compliment and comment! I really appreciate it!

@jcm manuel These are the most BEAUTIFUL compliments ever...

"the peculiar talent that you have to make a dream grow legs and walk into the mind of someone else - like a healer"

"You alleviate the suffering of the unfriended, unforgiven, bruised soul."

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!!! It means so much to me! You have an amazing way of EXPRESSING your heart! I truly appreciate your "rationalism!" hehe I'm happy that, that phrase will echo in your mind!!! ;)

@Rachel Hoyt The stories are somewhere between my DREAMS and REALITY! haha Thank you for the compliment. And you will hear your tune!!! ;) Whispers in the wind!

Rathore said...

Lovely Post......

Farfalla Dreams ~ Lisa Marie Farfalla said...

@Rathore Thank you so much for the compliment and for taking the time to reading and comment! ;)

jaice john j said...

hai,
your blog is so awesome
and your words are so cool.

Regards from India,
jaice
beinalone.blogspot.com

Farfalla Dreams ~ Lisa Marie Farfalla said...

@jaice john j Thank you so much for the AMAZING compliment and comment! Greetings to India! ;)

TommyB said...

UR funny! lol I dig what jcm manuel said too, I totally agree.

Ranadive said...

nice !

Farfalla Dreams ~ Lisa Marie Farfalla said...

@TommyB HAHA! Thank you! ;)

@Ranadive Thank you so much for reading and commenting!