Blue Skies Prompt 29 (Aiw)
Title: Evening Serenade
Author: Ranguvar42
Prompt: Blue Skies Prompt #29: Picture of rocking chairs on a porch
Fandom: Alice in Wonderland 2010
Characters: Stayne Family
Genre: Family
Ratings/Warnings: K, none
Word Count: 505
Summary: The Staynes sit on their back porch during one cool evening.
Alannah rocked steadily in her chair, the night air cool on her bare arms, her eyes shut as she mentally went over the day. It had been a good one. Victoria, who had recently turned a year old, was beginning to show signs of being as rambunctious and mischievous as her siblings were. Alannah and Ilosovic had been run ragged by her, but having raised Katarina and Michael, they were well able to handle anything that their youngest daughter threw their way.
Ilosovic came onto the porch, Vicki in his arms and Michael and Katarina trailing behind him. He nudged Alannah's foot, and she opened her eyes. "Vicki wanted her mummy."
Alannah smiled, stretching out her hands to take her youngest. "Did you, little one?" She nuzzled Victoria, and the babe squealed in happiness. "You ran your Daddy and I ragged today, little one. I think you've got even more energy than your brother and sister, and they could tire out the Bandersnatch!"
Ilosovic settled into the rocker next to her, and the two eldest children sat on the porch, their legs crossed underneath them. Ilosovic sighed as a cool breeze ruffled his hair. "Very true. We have very energetic children. Course, we're also quite energetic."
Alannah choked on laughter. "True."
Michael and Katarina exchanged glances that clearly said "Our parents are complete nutters." Katarina looked up at her mother. "Mum, can you sing a song?"
Alannah thought for a few moments, than began singing. "The human heart has hidden treasures,
In secret kept, in silence sealed;-
The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures,
Whose charms were broken if revealed.
And days may pass in gay confusion,
And nights in rosy riot fly,
While, lost in Fame's or Wealth's illusion,
The memory of the Past may die.
But, there are hours of lonely musing,
Such as in evening silence come,
When, soft as birds their pinions closing,
The heart's best feelings gather home.
Then in our souls there seems to languish
A tender grief that is not woe;
And thoughts that once wrung groans of anguish,
Now cause but some mild tears to flow.
And feelings, once as strong as passions,
Float softly back-a faded dream;
Our own sharp griefs and wild sensations,
The tale of others' sufferings seem.
Oh! When the heart is freshly bleeding,
How longs it for that time to be,
When, through the mist of years receding,
Its woes but live in reverie!
And it can dwell on moonlight glimmer,
On evening shade and loneliness;
And, while the sky grows dim and dimmer,
Feel no untold and strange distress-
Only a deeper impulse given
By lonely hour and darkened room,
To solemn thoughts that soar to heaven,
Seeking a life and world to come."