An Angel’s Verse

“I left my heart in my dreams1

‘Coz there and there alone my angel lives…”2

After Jamecie Larne sang his last number, there was a momentary silence and then a wild explosion of applause and yelling, a standing ovation that rocked Los Angeles. 3

At the end of Jamecie’s performance, he was escorted toward the waiting limousine when the mob broke through the police guard and hundreds of Americans descended on him, screaming his name and their love for him. The surging crowd held out pens and autograph books, pressing forward to touch the Irish singer.4

It was his first ever US Tour and Jamecie already created a mania. His songs had made it to the US Billboard Charts. And his last full-scale concert in Los Angeles was a phenomenal success. 5

The Irish singer handled himself well on stage. He performed his own style of music with class, power and conviction. He was more than a super star. Wherever he went, pandemonium broke loose, leading broken doors and bruised bodies. 6

But behind Jamecie Larne’s success was an angel- Lacie, his little sister, and she wrote his songs.7

-00- -00- 00-8

Jamecie was only having dinner in his hotel suite when his angel Lacie called. “How was L.A?” she asked in unrestrained enthusiasm.9

“Great. I got mobbed, which is the best part.” Jamecie said, chuckling. “They live your songs Lacie, my acushla.”10

“My songs? No, no, no, my brother loved. They love your songs.”11

“Angel Lacie…” Jamecie insisted solemnly. “They are your songs. I only sing them, but you wrote them.”12

Lacie’s rich laughter flowed warmly through the lines and to Jamecie’s heart. “The people love you Jamecie. They will love any song Jamecie Larne sings, regardless of whoever writes it.”13

“Oh, but of course, no one will ever hear me sing a verse which isn’t composed by my darling angel.”14

“Thank you brother. You always make me feel extra special.”15

“So, how’s Ireland?”16

“It’s still the emerald city, bro. Quite peaceful just the way you had left it, basking in complacency, waiting for a son home.”17

“Wow! Are you gonna bombard me with your endless verses again miss poetess?” Jamecie teased, laughing indulgently. 18

“Speaking of verses, I’ve written a new one. I’ll just fax it. “19

Jamecie recited the fax number and within few minutes, Lacie’s new verse arrived. Jamecie snatched it up and read it aloud. 20

“Young Love Is A Flame?” Jamecie’s brows knitted.21

“That’s the title. Well?”22

Jamecie continued to read up to the chorus.23

“For young love is a flame24

Just a mere light in a childish whim25

Quenchable and deep-burning26

Often fierce but always flickering 27

And that is our love28

Young as we are.”29

“So?” Lacie asked in anticipation.30

“Not bad. I’ll go over it tonight.”31

“Where are you bound tomorrow?”32

“I’m going to perform at the International Olympics in Connecticut.”33

“Wow!”34

“Now, go to sleep angel. Sweet dreams.”35

“Sing for me, brother.”36

Jamecie did, with all his heart. “… Come, oh, gentle Morpheus; lull me in your arms, for in your world there lives my love… Let me leave my heart in my dreams, for there and there alone my angel lives.”37

-00- -00- -00-38

After Jamecie Larne’s successful US Tour, he went back to Sligo, Ireland for a little break. There was nothing in the world that could bring delight to Jamecie than the sight of his angel sister. That was why he was excited as ever to go home. Going home had become the most exhilarating part of the super star’s life. 39

At long last, he reached home. The first name he agogly called out was “Lacie!” but the girl who met him at the doorway was absolutely different from the sister he knew so well. His angel who had been buxom and vivacious suddenly had turned into a pale, skinny, frail-looking girl. Her blue eyes that were once exquisite and glittering looked oddly lacklustred. She had also lost her long, brown curly hair.40

“Lacie…? What happened to you, angel?”41

“Jamecie… your angel has broken her wings.”42

When his angel Lacie had been diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, Jamecie was away for his US Tour. While Jamecie had been performing at the Alladin Hotel in Las Vegas, her angel Lacie underwent initial dosage of chemotherapy and radiation. Jamecie regretted the times he spent away from home and Lacie. He promised never to leave her again, even if that meant abandoning the limelight altogether. Fame didn’t matter much to him. It was Lacie who mattered most to him.43

“I love you, my angel Lacie.” Jamecie told her over and over. Lacie appeared pitifully vulnerable, and he felt compelled to protect her.44

“High above the moonlight45

My baby gleams in dazzling light…” Lacie still sang jauntily despite her illness. She and Jamecie had developed a deeper love for each other. A love that could withstand the test of time… or of death. Jamecie would always kiss and hug his sister and Lacie in turn constantly required his touch.46

Jamecie had been out of the public eye since he found out about Lacie’s fatal disease. He would still sing, but only for his sister’s ears. Sometimes Jamecie would sleep beside his beloved angel, singing for her even in his dreams.47

-00- -00- -00-48

Lacie’s remission was only temporary and the prospect for an ultimate cure was remote indeed. Day by day, she seemed to grow weaker and weaker. Jamecie didn’t spend a day away from his dying sister.49

“Brother, let me write a verse.” In spite of her illness, Lacie still shone brightly whenever she wrote. Writing verses was Lacie’s life. Whereas Lacie was Jamecie’s life. 50

He was moved to tears when Lacie wrote a verse for him in the late summer.51

“Jamecie, your eyes glimmering as though they got life of their own52

Startlingly caught the bluest Irish sky53

Jamecie, the hint of orange peeking in the sky54

Inspires you to sing a line55

Lulls your heart in stark tranquility56

Jamecie, this need not be carried in a tune57

For only your heart can sing this verse.”58

One autumn day, while waiting for the first leaf to fall, Lacie wrote her last verse.59

“When I departed from this world60

Don’t cry, for I did not die61

When my garden vanished62

Don’t weep, for I did not die63

When no star appears tonight 64

Don’t mourn, for I did not die65

When the leaves fell66

Don’t grieve, for I did not die67

Aye, I did not die68

I only hide in your heart69

Aye, I did not die70

I sleep in your dreams71

I live in your heart.”72

Lacie died just before she could sign her name. Her composition was found beside her on her deathbed.73

A heart-wrecking sob exploded in that autumn day. Jamecie, his face streaked with tears, vowed that no one would ever take Lacie’s place in his heart.74

“Lacie…”Jamecie mumbled between sobs. “You … didn’t die… my… angel. You… live… here… in my… heart.”75

-00- -00- -00-76

On the day of Lacie’s burial, Jamecie sang two new songs. The first one was Lacie’s last work before she passed away. The second was a tribute to an angel sister who meant everything to Jamecie. For the first time, Jamecie wrote his own verse. “So Long Irish Lily.” A song that stunned for its sincerity and raw emotion. 77

Jamecie had the perfect choice of chords and riffs on his acoustic guitar, so melancholic that it moved all the people who heard it to tears.78

“So long my sweet love79

My Irish lily80

The angels sing melancholy chorus81

Autumn is in the air82

Petals fading everywhere. 83

So long acushla, 84

My Irish lily85

Lonely Polaris is solitary once more86

River of tears runs to the shore87

The home you left is shattered at the core.88

So long allanah,89

My Irish lily90

Smothering breeze gives out morose whispers91

The longest autumn in my heart lingers 92

So long my Irish lily93

We’ll be together again soon…”94

He sounded sad, and carried a very poignant tune that lasted but a few minutes. 95

Everyone blindly thought that Jamecie’s songs give him life, but it was Lacie’s verses that truly gave him life. All throughout, it was Lacie and she alone who filled his life with magic. It wasn’t music. It was Lacie.96

-00- -00- -00-97