Bardic Offerings Q-R

Queen of the Night

I wrote these poems after attending the rite in Leicester to honour the visit to the city of The Queen of the Night.

Queen of the Night: The Rite

Serene and silent you accept
The native offerings lain before you.
With calm gaze you watch
As we sing, dance and honour you.
In ancient splendour you listen
As we welcome you to a land foreign to you.
In wisdom's peace you acknowledge
Our farewell biddings to you.

Queen of the Night: Leave Taking

We wish you Hail and Fare Well
Yet it is we who are leaving.
For tonight you'll remain in that space
That for a time became sacred.
Tomorrow you return to your dwelling
In this land not your own
Without us to wish you
All speed on that journey

Queen of the Night: New World

Oh Queen of the Night
In splendour portrayed
With your nocturnal companions
Around you arrayed
What think you now
Of the world we have made?
Of oil and tar
And concrete all laid
Over earth, over grass
And around every tree?
What of the sprays, the poisons
To kill bug and flea?
Oh Queen of the Night
With your wisdom so old
Shall we meet with destruction
As is so oft foretold?

Queen of the Night: Who are you?

Your serenity and wisdom
Are the gifts you have earned
Through the long watches you have held
During mankind's maturing.
You have watched this growth
From its smallest beginnings
Are you pleased with our progess?
With the path we have trod?
Do you welcome the way
We have used what was given us?
Do you weep at how we've spoiled
The gift we were given?
Are you mother to us all
Or our Destruction?
Will you cherish the creation
From the mud of the river?
Or do you wait for our death
To claim us as your own?

FireStarter

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Reflections

I have stood atop towering cliffs
Overlooked parched landscapes and watched the setting sun.

I have seen the White Swan of Brigid
And flown with her across desolate lands, and then a hint of green.

I have journeyed with The Morrigan,
Seen things too painful and terrible to say.
I have met The Cailleach
And passed through dark ways
To meet my ancestors, my past.

I have run through hedgerows as vixen, full of joy and fun,
I have faced fearful forests and stood before glowering rocks,

I have talked with long dead children - playing, watching, waiting……

I have explored spiral stairs, the beauty of stars spread before me
To find Arainrhod's Silver Wheel.
I have stood on grey, windswept beaches,
The terrible power and beauty of nature all around.

I have rowed in tiny coracle across the deep, still sea,
Full moon above, shining,
And have been afraid to dive below,

I have sailed to Eriu with Fionn MacCumhaill,
Have seen the sun rise above his glorious white hair,
Have heard his voice and wisdom.

I have seen the richest halls in Tara
And the poverty of hovels
On the slopes of Slievenamon.

I have faced who I was,
I have faced who I am,
I have faced who I shall be.
Faced the pain, the joy, the tears and the laughter of existence.

I am, at last, coming home, to me

Caoimhe
February 2003

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Reincarnate

Written 7-19-06, during the waning moon


I see your soul in the depths of your eyes
A soul that I was meant to recognize
We have been together for all of our lives
To find you now comes as no surprise.

We were once cave dwellers, you and I
We would bow to the moon and worship the sky
Then peasants we were, just trying to get by
Imprisoned for stealing and the telling of lies

Reincarnate, you cannot hide
I was there the day you died
Reincarnate, swallow your pride;
Even if you fail at least you tried.

We then met in secret wearing Robes of white
Hidden in Oak Groves in the silence of night.
We danced the Great Dance and performed the Great Rite
Out of harms way and out of commoners sight.

Now here we are, back together again
Closer than ever, oblivious to where we have been
Lovers this time, worshipping one another's skin-
Loving selflessly until our next adventure begins

Reincarnate, do not hide;
Reincarnate I see your soul in your eyes;
Reincarnate, when our next life begins;
Reincarnate we'll be together again.


Copyright "Mariee" 2006

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