I have not posted much for you lovely free subscribers for awhile as I have been working to complete my first cycle of ‘Ogham Prompts’ for the supporting paid subscribers. So I thought I would send you something, before I get back to exploring more for the ‘Discovering The Sidhe’ series, soon to be followed with my ‘Us And Trees’ series.
Over the Brigid-Imbolc weekend I came across something I had written a few years ago and thought it was worthy to share with you all here at Substack.’
A few years ago, I rebooted a translation from a Gaelic poem by Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin from the 18th century, a time when the Penal Laws were cruelly glued onto the native population to create degradation and deprivation of their culture, poetry, stories, language, and faith.
My re-write of that translation, that I am sharing here, celebrates the vibrant freedom of poetic and story voice we enjoy today, at least through Ireland. To me this is a respectful freedom of following whatever visions and faith ‘calls’ us, and freedom of voice and story whether we were born here on this Ireland land or not
Plus, I have slipped in a last line that is a slight change from a Robin Williams line …
Poet Voice …
Escaped from My trouble! My lament! My torment! That caused me to be in want. Returned to the land that once again Is free for the voices of prophets and poets, And the scholars and wise people. Poems composed, and stories told With pleasure, and wit, as well as memories, Lively music of sorrow, then of joy, Dream-escape harp-playing, In tranquil spaces Courtesy and boldness, in dancing, and clapping. Opening our hearts, without fear of them being closed. Crossing bridges of connection, Rather than be confined behind walls of oppression. What will your verse be today?
I'm in the thick of details for the first stage of moving, plus insanely noisy foundation repair, so not reading much, but thought I would drop in and say I love the poem!
Ah this poem… 💔 the invitation into this wild feast of life 🙏❤️🔥