Folktober challenge day 8

For today’s challenge, I chose to write a poem about the Bean sí. You can read all of the poetry and see the inspirational images on Paul Brookes’ blog here.

A wish for peace

I would say, be still, Mother,
they have no power over you,
the dour-faced, black-clad men,
nor does he call you, their dead god,
a withered fruit hanging in a winter tree.

I would say, listen, Mother,
to the soft-voiced owl on the roof beam,
the silent seals waiting among the waves
at the imbrication of the worlds,
this, that, animal, human,
the same round blue enfolding us all.

I would tell you, take back your youth, Mother,
the golden days, the young hound and the horse,
race with them across the green.

And I would take the Bean sí by the hand,
wipe away her tears and tell her, Mother,
the owl calls you too,
take the feathered path home,
and leave your sorrow by this door.