Saturday, April 30, 2016

Beltane

en.wikipedia.org


Braid the cattles' horns with daisies
now the winter's finally passed.
The pretty maidens all come lilting
one by one across the grass.
flowers in their hair, and singing,
dresses glimmering soft and sweet,
and they dance around the maypole,
tripping softly on light feet.

The Beltane fire is burning,
casting embers on the lawn.
Make your wish, set your intention
before the spring has come and gone.

Gather 'round the fire, my sisters.
Lift your pretty skirts up high.
One great leap, your curls a-flying,
as the lads all pine and sigh.

You're a mix of strong emotions,
half-demure, yet mostly wild.
Ride your wild-horse heart with caution,
half-woman, still mostly child.

Dance around the pretty maypole.
One by one, you claim your power.
From girl to woman you are changing,
like the springtime claims its hour.


for Magaly's prompt at Real Toads : maypoles, which made me remember another tradition, that of leaping over the fire, at solstice. Day 30!!



22 comments:

  1. Love the beautiful descriptions of this symbolic celebration...and I love the idea of setting a spring intention. Excellent, Sherry!

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  2. You're a mix of strong emotions,
    half-demure, yet mostly wild..

    Such a beautiful depiction of Spring along with the transition of youth to adulthood :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  3. Oh I love it.. we had the thought of changing from girl to woman both.. there is so much of both sadness and joy in that transition.

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  4. Beautiful poem. :-)

    Greetings from London.

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  5. Love this yummy chant, Sherry! And I can definitely hear a group of wild souls singing it and dancing it around the Maypole. So real. So ritualistic. So enticing. ♥

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  6. Love this rhythmic, dancing poem. I can hear the girls laughing and feel their anticipation,,,

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  7. The poem lilts with a dancing rhythm, so in tune with the symbolism of the maypole. Lovely.

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  8. Yes, I love the dancing rhythm, the feeling of freedom, celebration. What a way to welcome May.

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  9. This has such a lovely bucolic feeling, and celebratory.

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  10. I should add that the first verse took me right back to old times and the earlier days of this tradition.

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  11. You've captured the tradition so well here.

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  12. Wonderful, Sherry, really lovely. Happy May! k.

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  13. "Ride your wild-horse heart with caution,
    half-woman, still mostly child."

    Love the poem, but especially this that links imagery of riding with dancing the pole.

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  14. The energy of youth to the maturity of adulthood ... I love how you paint the transition of spring :-)

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  15. I just want to sing this. So well done.
    Gather 'round the fire, my sisters...

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  16. Oh Sherry....certainly one of my favorites! You have out done yourself here! Just a beautiful image you have created with your words! I really love it.

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  17. Luv the intimation of transitions.
    The seasons and the maidens.

    my maypole response

    Much love...

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  18. Luv the intimation of transitions.
    The seasons and the maidens.

    my maypole response

    Much love...

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  19. Lovely, Sherry~ I love May Day and the ceremonial ribbons twirling under the sun~ Beautiful!

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  20. Gather around
    As the next generation
    Is seeded
    On this holy day
    Of the Celtic calendar.

    Where
    Our women
    Are born
    On this holy
    Of holy nights.

    Sorry, Sherry, just felt the need to write this.

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