The Druid Grove

by **Piastra** » 16 Sep 2004, 13:14

SAMHUINN NIGHT
9x9x9

come suffer me, on this samhuinn night
to call my fam'ly all gone before
to bear me wisdom and true insight
as i consider the portal door
i watch flaming apple wood ignite
sending scents to intice the "a'mor"
fam'ly crest motto with stag to fight
the clouds give way to the moon once more
sweet shivers allow the wind to bite

shhh! hush! listen to what can't be seen
look close to the fire's shadow edge
my totem animals stretch and preen
with a promise of their strengths to pledge
cougar purrs, with eyes on salmon keen
grannie's totem, a huge owl does fledge
my raven lands for gossip to glean
all lend their strength to the flaming hedge
i fondle a crystal so pristine

my robes whip about in frothy fray
the elements want their moment too
the winds now blow, in their gusting play
water appears as a misty dew
unshod feet caress earth's blessed clay
understanding this, is shared by few
fire burns, and turns the night to day
i understand this nocturnal hue
weeping, i drop to my knees and pray

my prayers are not to go unheard
dieties have not forgotten me
as the night sky fills with black winged bird
and manaanan rises from the sea
brigid's white cow is chewing her curd
waiting her mistress, soon here to be
manaanan speaks not a single word
but sultry writhing, they meld, these three
god and godesses, their loins ungird

my humaness begs me to atone
all the wrongs i may have done this world
i repent to the haunting song of stone
and bow to trees with their knees unburled
i gather leaves, crisp and autumn blown
cremation into service hurled
as the secrets of this night is known
smoke sent calling cards as it curled
i am at peace now, and not alone

stay! hear that sound like a sighing doe?
it's true, no longer alone am i
shadows dance around the fire's glow
a rush of beating wings fill the sky
clouds of faery dust begin to blow
leprechauns drink to a fervent high
and a pooka strolls with kelpie beau
does this strangeness leave you wonder why?
it's the rising of the sidhe, you know

it's samhuinn night and the stage is set
my fore kin have left me not wanting
i greet each anew in sillouhet
facing my clansmen is so daunting
their wisdom is strong, so they're well met
warrior clan, but humor taunting
i am blessed that they have come, and yet
their presence here is still so haunting
still, one night with them is all i get

the moon shines it's light on homemade mead
into the flaming fire i peer
i smile at dancers of varied breed
and my ancient grannie chides mac lir
as he prances naked on his steed
why have they all come this night so near?
to help me fulfill my special need
they reflect like enchanted mirror
for my fae lover, my heart does bleed

gods, totems, elements, fae, and kin
gather to protect me from alarm
they know exactly where i have been
strolling once on my fae lover's arm
all year long for each other we yen
my heart constricts at his spritely charm
apple smoke helps the portal to thin
he has found me, i cross without harm
this one magikal night of samhuinn...

carragh 2004

by **Fae** » 16 Sep 2004, 14:20

OH that is so cool....take me on a journey anytime, my dear....

by **Nimue** » 16 Sep 2004, 16:34

This is absolutley fantastic, Carragh I do so love your style of writing, I am in awe again!!

by **Loosh** » 16 Sep 2004, 18:45

Carragh
There is a wonderful undulating rhythm in this poem! This is new and so fresh! Bravo, you have done it again!

by **Ruthie** » 16 Sep 2004, 22:59

As always, Dear Carragh, I am mesmerized.
Stunning.

by **Dobhran** » 16 Sep 2004, 23:31

Wow. Absolutely beautiful! I love the way you write C, I absolutely do!

by **Piastra** » 16 Sep 2004, 23:39

ah, shux guys. t'warn't nuthin'. well, the working of the the whole 9x9x9 thing is a sort of mental disorder i must have. grin. fought me all night. anyway, my heartfelt thanx to all of you for your kind words. it was fun...

smooches!
carragh

by **Kat Lady** » 16 Sep 2004, 23:54

Just picturing the scene makes me smile.
Thank you for sharing this with us all.

by **Niht-Wyrd** » 17 Sep 2004, 00:44

My dearest Carragh, what can I say. Truly magical, you know I love this time of year, and you have brought it right here for me with your wonderfully beautiful words. I saw it all as it happened.

Much love, as always,

Craig.

:cern:

by **Crow** » 17 Sep 2004, 14:46

Most excellent, Carragh! I especially liked this part. Very evocative:

Carragh wrote:my humaness begs me to atone
all the wrongs i may have done this world
i repent to the haunting song of stone
and bow to trees with their knees unburled
i gather leaves, crisp and autumn blown
cremation into service hurled
as the secrets of this night is known
smoke sent calling cards as it curled
i am at peace now, and not alone

Thanks for sharing your talent with us!

by **lupiana** » 17 Sep 2004, 17:29

I knew it would be good... but this is outstanding! Great job!

by **Selene** » 17 Sep 2004, 18:24

Beautiful, Carragh! You capture the magic of the night.

Hugs and kitties,
Selene

by **FallingLeaves** » 17 Sep 2004, 20:47

A rich, beautiful, profound and mesmerising piece dear carragh.............

Much love and blessings

by **Piastra** » 17 Sep 2004, 22:48

thanx to all of you, once again. your kindness always encourages me. i am blessed to have my friends about me.

spring arrives, smile. what will happen when you've come full circle?

loves to each,
carragh

by **Guest** » 17 Sep 2004, 23:01

Beautifully, beautifully done, Carragh. Congratulations!

Love,
Oak

by **FallingLeaves** » 18 Sep 2004, 04:06

Well the leaves fall again dear carragh...what else!

by **Saille-Panthera** » 18 Sep 2004, 18:29

Wow, in one word: beuatiful!
Thanx!!

by **Jeb** » 23 Sep 2004, 12:17

Excellent Caragh! What I especially love about it is that it maintains its excellent creepiness (and I mean that as a very sincere compliment) while at the same time it conveys a good image of the Autumn Harvest. For me it captures so many of the little things that make up Samhain or (dare I say it?) Halloween. This'll have a place next to Poe's Raven for me every Halloween hereafter. Thanks for this.

by **Piastra** » 23 Sep 2004, 18:27

thanx again, to all. i am blessed by your words.

jeb, excellent creepiness? smile. yes, samhuinn IS creepy, in a way. whether alone in your woods with a wee fire, or on your patio with one of those bowl fires, the waiting at ritual is unnerving at times, so i understand. wow! right nexrt to poe, eh? i adore poe...

for those who have pm'ed me about this poem, the "amor" and the stag (with one leg raised), in the first verse, refers to our scott family crest.

loads of hugs,
carragh

by **Jeb** » 24 Sep 2004, 03:48

Forgive me if it seems like I'm overstating the "creepiness" of your poem a bit. :grin:

It's just that I wasn't always a pagan and when growing up Halloween had a much more secular feel. That feeling was based on costumes, trick-or-treating and, most of all, scary stories told sitting around a candle with a flashlight under your chin. :-x

Mwahaha.

Some parts of your poem like

it's true, no longer alone am i
shadows dance around the fire's glow
a rush of beating wings fill the sky

invoke that old Halloween feeling, while other parts touch on the more spirtual side of Samhain that is a somewhat newer emotion in me for this time of year.

And that's why I really like your poem... it gives me both.

The Druid Grove

SAMHUINN NIGHT (Poetry)

SAMHUINN NIGHT (Poetry)

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