In the Land of Ire, the Spires Come Forth

Selene, the beryl is a nod of the hat to you!

From the depths of a well, 

Below air, water, and earth, 

In the forge of gods 

Brighid intones her verse. 

She calls forth the living rock 

In iambic pentameter. 

Spires of nephrite and green beryl 

Rush to do her bidding 

And push to meet the air: 

A field of scintillating emerald. 

A boy wanders aimlessly between the stalks 

Marveling at their glory. 

Inside each, a different shade 

Reflects back his visage 

Encaging another soul. 

Sunlight plays through cleancut edges 

Projecting motion pictures 

Of lives once lived and more to come. 

Soon he is lost. 

Sharp corundum blades slice his feet 

Drawing forth rivulets of crimson 

Seeping down to the roots. 

At first sung of healing, 

Brighid's song takes a turn 

As she weaves her charm. 

The boy could not be harmed. 

Father Daghdah frowns with pity 

and makes the sun stand still, 

While playing his harp to much smaller end. 

The boy lies down and is soon asleep. 

Tuatha by the scores venture 

To see the sight, 

With whispered voices 

Buzzing in the swarm. 

The boy could not be harmed. 

A choir of Bean Si' caoin 

And sing their song of old, 

Serenading the boy with presage; 

An odious melody 

Sends tendrils into his soul, 

Leeching hope and faith 

From his brittle bones 

Leaving him truly alone and unarmed. 

The boy could not be harmed. 

Father Daghdah resumes his mesmerizing strumming, ravvivando. 

Sun and stars answer his call, 

Quickening to dizzying pace, 

And an eon passes in the space of one chorus. 

Macha of the three morrigna 

Rides forth on her majestic horse 

And looks down on the aged boy. 

"Child of man, with strife in your heart, 

You bleed hostility from your veins. 

Come, be my bannerman 

And die endlessly for me." 

He pulls himself unsteadily to his feet 

And shakes his head 

To her withering stare. 

Old man was not alarmed. 

The boy could not be harmed.

Author's Note

A little bit of Celtic mythology woven into this one. Hope you like it.
(ravvivando is a musical term for speeding up) Bean Si' is the Irish celtic term for Banshee
And I took considerable license with these characters to fit my story. There essence, however remains intact.

Reviews

[PrincessZeldaWannabe]

I love the Celtic mythology you used. The poem is so dreamy and magical.

[Kelsie Eileen Stark]

This is beautiful, I'm Celtic; so it made a grat deal of sense. Great job.

[Kerry O'Connor]

This is quite marvellous, David. I love the thread of Irish mythology you have woven into the tale so that it becomes a legend. I recall writing a poem about Brighid of Ireland, a while ago... I shall dig it up :)

[HopelesslyDevoted]

this is some of my favorite type of poetry i have read on this site yet. so eerie and mystical! i love how you include the celtic mythology- not enough people pay attention to how interesting that stuff was!
this is genius! keep it up! :)

[Brad]

this really should be the basis of a short story or novella. i love it's construction and the subject of mythologies interwoven. nice work, as always....ahhhh my vein!!!

[Coyote Poetry]

I like this story. You create a situation and strong characters. No weakness in this poem. From the beginning to the last line. Story held my attention. I like the ending.
"From the depths of a well,
Below air, water, and earth,
In the forge of gods
Brighid intones her verse. "
A outstanding poem and story.
Coyote

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

gorgeous mythic reblending to complement your own personal style~ with classic flair you present imagery in three dimensional quality of the highest imaginative caliber~

[Norma M Sutton]

A interesting poem. I like the feel and flow of it.

[.]

this has a great mythical tale feel, you captured the centuries of folklore into a divine poem..I will have to read up now and fully digest the players in this piece..love it when something ingites my interest..well written and intriguing!

[Closedown]

I love the way you mix mythology! Brilliant as always.