| Home About Lil Invitation to Shangri-La Poetry Poetry Readings Blog Links Contact |
| Shangri-La
is a fictional
place described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by British author James
Hilton. In the book, "Shangri-La"
is a mystical, harmonious valley,
gently guided from a lamasery, enclosed in the western end of the
Kunlun Mountains. Shangri-La has become synonymous with any earthly
paradise but particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia—a permanently
happy land, isolated from the outside world. Shangri-la is often used in a similar context to which "Garden of Eden" might be used, to represent a perfect paradise that exists hidden from modern man. It can sometimes be used as an analogy for a life-long quest or something elusive that is much sought. For a man who spends his life obsessively looking for a cure to a disease, such a cure could be said to be that man's "Shangri-La". It also might be used to represent perfection that is sought by man in the form of love, happiness, or Utopian ideals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangri-La |
![]() Jessica
Merrill lost all faith in people by the time she turned 18. She lived
in the
land of books after walking out of high school at 16, tired of the
harassment
of her peers. She understood all too well that she was a disappointment
to her
parents as well. She walked through life as an angry zombie who just
wanted to
be treated with kindness. Then she met Sean Moran. Sean
believes in art and love in all its expressions. When he lost his wife
six
years before from cancer, he lost his faith as well. He rediscovers it
when he
finds his soul mate, Jessica. Margie and he were students of esoteric
knowledge, so he recognizes her on sight. He feels the subtle shift of
energy
in her presence and sees the unmistakable light in her eyes, not to
mention the
physical sensations he must keep in check. He’s
too old to offer her more than friendship. Besides runs Shangri-La, the
import
chain she works for. He also needs to keep a low profile to protect his
shadow
life, the work he does for the Goddess, but never discusses. Still, he
needs
her in his life, so he starts painting again and asks her to act as
model and
muse. She
comes out of her shell when she discusses books, so that’s what he
talks to her
about. He sees that her self image is poor, so he boosts her
confidence, both
concerning her work at the store as well as her personal appearance
which he
finds charming to say the least. He recognizes that she’s a natural
mystic when
she whirls into a spontaneous trance while he sketches her that first
afternoon.
Eventually, Jessica blurts out her attraction to Sean. Sean confesses that his heart’s deeply involved, but only agrees after Jessica confesses how painful her previous sexual encounters were. He tells her that whether they become lovers is her choice but warns that their liaison must be brief because of her age and his responsibilities. He confides that she’s his Goddess ideal in human form. He fears losing her friendship through sex. Undeterred
by his warnings and desirous of a positive intimate experience, Jessica
reads
how-to-books on sex while Sean travels on a buying trip throughout Upon
his return, Jessica assertively performs her favorite sexual technique
from her
research. This sparks a marathon session of voluptuous bliss.
Belatedly, Sean
stipulates that her family and his must accept them as a couple, or
their
encounter would remain a once in a lifetime experience. Although Sean
easily
charms her parents into accepting them as a romantic couple, Jessica
remains in
dread of telling Johnny and his older brother. Her parents’ acceptance
however allows
them to continue as lovers until then. During this interlude, Sean divulges that his art derives from the union of his Goddess, whom he credits for all he receives in life, and Axial ideals of education, stoicism and respect for Creation. While understanding all is one, he listens within for Divine Wisdom. Jessica acts the intellectual sponge to his explorations of spirituality and his thoughts on humanity’s attitudes toward sex. Margie
had studied sacred sexual techniques from around the world and taught
them to
Sean who then in turn introduces them to Jessica. He credits Margie
with
prioritizing his life. While lost in a metaphysical tirade, Sean admits
that
Margie invested his capital to create a fund which Sean uses for what
he calls,
“Goddess work,” upon which he refuses to elaborate. Days after Sean leaves on another buying trip, Charles, friend to both Sean and Jessica, coughs up blood, a sign to those who knew that his lung cancer has reasserted itself. Roger, his lover and manager of the Shangri-La where Jessica works, rushes him to the hospital and remains by his side. Unable to contact Sean for advice, Jessica takes over running their Shangri-La as well as she can. Barb, Shangri-La’s corporate bookkeeper, and Vicky, recently hired Christmas help, assist Jessica. When
he returns, Sean recognizes her exhaustion and sends for his sons who
had
planned to return the following week for Thanksgiving. Although Jessica
had dreaded
this confrontation, Johnny accepts her relationship with Sean as
logical since he
knows the character of each well. Phil, his older brother, remains concerned about the ethics involved in their relationship until Sean explains that Jessica is his soul mate. He goes on to explain about Jessica’s innate mystical abilities, most of which she was unaware. Phil’s acceptance continues to be tempered by legalities, but he understands their relationship cannot be judged by societal norms. |