The Beginnings of Wisdom

[Stormwind]

I have...found the beginnings of wisdom.
I was ore in the earth, and I was mined and put to the flame.
Forged was I, again and again, made purer with each blow
Metal I became, and was plunged into fire again
Becoming half solid, half liquid.
Forged again was I, and quenched in oil
Hard I was, yet heated softly and cooled slow
Tempered I was, strong yet supple
And I rang with sweet music when struck.

A sword I was, in the hands of a warrior
Thrilled I did, at the clamor of battle....
Shed tears of blood at the loss of life
Left lying upon the ground
Water and air did take their toll, and changed was I again
Once more of the earth, but no longer ore
Taken deep and heated once more, pressed deep and long
Changed I am again, a crystal in the earth

Time wears on and water washes me from the soil
Dissolved I am, floating in the water, disembodied yet present
Into the air I am taken, a simple vapor in the sky
Joining with others I fall as rain, one drop among the many
In the lake I float and wash, a bath and drink for fishes
A fish I am, and down I go, the stream's great current pulling,
Into the sea I find my way, and a hungry eagle spies me
Now I am the eagle free and in the air go soaring

Floating high above the land
I watch the forests below, spying little human forms trudging through the snow
I see the hare beneath the bush, quivering with fear
But I am now a breath of air, dancing through the treetops
Playing some part of Mother's Great Music, delighting in the dance
Hard I am, and soft I go, soothing and a-stirring
Until I find myself drawn in to feed a fire.

Fire I am, and dance I will, with my own secret music
Hard things melt and all things burn, but new things take their places
Dancing with the Salamanders, I spoke with them at length
Then I went to other times, where smiths went through their paces
And learned of things that fire does that I had not imagined.
Until at length I found myself fiery stone flowing brightly,
Running like water, made of earth, fed by air and fueled by fire.

Then I knew that I was all of these four things together.
I had found the beginnings of wisdom, but still I sought for more

Some trees I spoke to in my secret grove,
Oak and ash, willow and hazel.
Said the Oak I must be strong.
Said the Ash "What is strength without resilience?"
And then the Willow claimed that either without beauty was simply not the same.
Finally the Hazel said, its Wisdom you need to know.
For all the other three mean nothing if you know not how to grow.

An eagle I have been, a raven dark and blue
A fish in the sea, a gem in the earth
A dancer in the flame, A Zephyr singing true

I've spoken with the otter, who reminded me to play
And then to the Unicorn, who showed me another way.
The mighty Bear taught me well, of strength and loyalty
The Fire Dragon taught me too, of metal and of temper

Though I prefer the fire and water, I know I need them all
And through them I am tied to all, sister , daughter, mother and crone
I change my shape and cross the Veil, learning all the time
Yet still there are hills to climb.

Through the gateway I have gone
To crystal castles shining
To lakes of clear water running, and caverns of streaming fire
My Lady I have met now, She who has taught me much
Of Harp, and flute, and drum and forge, I cannot learn enough.

I have wandered all around my Oakstone Grove
The symbols are all shining, save only on the trilithon
Where only one is glowing. Two now remain for me to light
I have found the beginning of wisdom.

Now I stand before the gate, seeking yet another journey.
To light the second symbol there, and open my eyes wider.


Um, just felt the need to share this.....it's something that came to me during a walk through the woods. Enjoy it, or not....I've never written poetry, at least that I am aware of, but some have told me that's what this is. I'll stop nattering now.

Stormwind

[Underground River]

Stormwind, this is definitely poetry! Beautiful! Thank you for brightening my day with this wisdom.
Phoenix

[FallingLeaves]

A wonderful song of being Stormwind. I hope you will share more with us.

[EarthWard]

It was extremely Awensome. I felt like I just went through a journey like Taliesin.
It was a classic. I'll have to look out for you in the next Eisteddfodd!