! [Water Lilies]
There I was, in the middle of that strange place where everything was perfect. It was ten o'clock in the morning, but the sun was still reluctant to illuminate with all its intensity. Was the sun the source of light that illuminated this landscape? Was this the planet Earth?
For a moment I forgot where I was, but I was sure it was not Havana...was it? I didn't know what to think anymore, so much beauty had clouded my mind. I felt pleasantly dazed.
Suddenly a doubt struck me like a bolt of lightning...Am I in the Giverny Garden? That was it, there was no doubt about it!! I was admiring the water lilies that once inspired Monet. Three decades the brilliant artist spent painting his famous pictures. Now I understand the painter's fascination. So much greenery floating on the water with multicolored flowers standing upright, looking beautiful and seductive, can have no other effect.
I was in a trance. I had been here before, many years ago. That time I was not able to cross the gate, I did not see the door (maybe I was not ready), but now I did and I could not miss the opportunity. I desperately looked around me in the hope of finding the master with his brushes and oils. The light was filtering capriciously over the pond, playing with the shapes. I was still floating, breathing peace, absorbed with so much beauty and looking at every detail.
Aunt...aunt, aunt...my niece's screams brought me out of my lethargy. I came back to reality, to the Japanese Garden of the National Botanical Garden and to the joyful call of the little girl requesting my presence.
As I was walking away I saw him, he was there, right next to the bridge that crosses over the pond. I gave him a shy goodbye with my hand...he smiled back.
My niece was calling me to participate with her in a competition...we won!!! And happiness came over us 🥰.>
Allí estaba, en medio de ese extraño paraje donde todo era perfecto. Eran las diez de la mañana, pero aún el sol se resistía a iluminar con toda su intensidad ¿Sería el sol la fuente de luz que iluminaba este paisaje?¿Era esto el planeta Tierra?
Por un momento olvidé donde estaba, pero estaba segura de que no era La Habana...¿O lo era? Ya no sabía que pensar, tanta belleza había nublado mi mente. Me sentía agradablemente aturdida.
De pronto una duda me golpeó como un rayo.¿¿Estoy en el Jardín de Giverny??¡Eso era, no había duda alguna! Estaba admirando los nenúfares que alguna vez inspiraron a Monet. Tres décadas dedicó el brillante artista a pintar sus famosos cuadros. Ahora entiendo la fascinación del pintor. Tanto verde flotando sobre el agua con flores multicolores erguidas, mostrándose hermosas y seductoras, no pueden causar otro efecto.
Estaba en trance...ya había estado aquí, hace muchos años. Aquella vez no fui capaz de cruzar el portal, no vi la puerta (quizás no estaba preparada), pero ahora sí y no podía desaprovechar la oportunidad. Miraba desesperadamente a mi alrededor con la esperanza de encontrar al maestro con sus pinceles y óleos. La luz se colaba caprichosa sobre el estanque, jugaba con las formas. Yo seguía flotando, respirando paz, absorta con tanta belleza y mirando cada detalle.
Tía...tía, tíaaa....los gritos de mi sobrina me sacaron del letargo. Volví a la realidad, al Jardín Japonés del Jardín Botánico Nacional y al llamado alegre de la niña que solicitaba mi presencia.
Cuando me alejaba lo vi, estaba allí, justo al lado del puente que cruza sobre el estanque. Le di un tímido adiós con mi mano...él sonrió de vuelta.
Mi sobrina me llamaba para que participara con ella en una competencia.¡¡Ganamos¡¡ Y la felicidad nos invadió 🥰.
Texto y fotos de mi autoría.
