The Civilising Sun.

I'm breaking a "golden rule" of Substack running two newsletters in one day - but my weekly review was behind schedule, and as an Irishman I have to acknowledge St. Patrick's Day - so please bear with me. 

St. Patrick Christanised and "civilised" the wild Celtic folk - but I wonder, was something lost in the change?

The Civilising Sun
Long shadows smear the lands.
Winter's fingers pinch the hours.
Dark and cold tug tools from hands.
Night bars eyes from fruit and flowers.

Bean-sídhe hide in fogged saplings.        
Winds tickling trees or ghastly wails?
Granite standing stone glimmering,
A Celtic lord in moon shine mail.

Cold sweats, hot fear, bards rave.
Sapling and stone leap then lunge,
Twig claws strike shale stone blades.
Fire spirits flee their crimson cages.

Ripped routines, broken bindings.
Night veils eyes, welcomes visions.
Ghosts, glories, seductive, scratching.
Day breaks, feeds poems to flames.

Spring's green shoots, chains, ropes
Faerie doors, hill holes closed.
Sun holds sky, a solemn stop
To hearth heroes, horror’s hoards.

Spiral serpents, ancient, wise
Flee the clock, gear, and coin.
Mystics craft, warrior’s poise
Melt under the civilising sun.

If you enjoyed this poem and artwork - have a look at the various print options available from redbubble.com

https://www.redbubble.com/i/poster/The-Civilising-Sun-by-Graeme-McA/169285111.LVTDI

Thank you for your time as always
Graeme

PS If you enjoyed this, and want to keep me in caffeine (and keep the ghostly voices whispering) - consider clicking the button below. For any who do so, you have my deepest gratitude.