Celtic Revenge.
Rattling through dales and avoiding
waterfalls
the windswept hills slowed oxcarting
down to snail-pace,
crossing causeways wagons stalled
in pine-laced mud,
warrior's horses, hounds and oxen
perspired in vain
as cold rain lashed blinding rivulets
chilled her sodden skin.
She smelt of the beasts, and wetted
with sweat
she vowed to be rid
of this curse and to be dry soon at
home, by a log-spitting fire,
mist stirred her sighs
as filtering higher the bog kissed cold
and drifted hillward.
Come nightfall this place between
soil and sky
would be phantom-ridden,
and on the brink of direst danger,
it would reveal spirits
of certain propensity
who wanted to stifle the boldest
of her Celtic men,
wisest travellers prayed then
to reach their homesteads and arrive
safely, before
ghostly noises would harken again.
Fur rugs awaited and warmed
gruel broth,
next noon would be time enough
for relating tales
of brigand highwaymen, by her troth
she swore
to tell of the pillaging,
those debating
such hazards would hear, but for now
she must sleep.
The morrow would be given to much
recall and weeping
over those tribal warlords ravaging
her countryside.
She vowed Celtic revenge,
bloodbaths would be what she meant,
she would terrorise,
far and wide lay strongholds to waste,
Her chieftains were brave,
She felt confident, but she prayed.
I agree with Leslie. Very cinematic.
You are a very brilliant story teller..Enjoyed this poem...
It was like a movie. I saw it all.
Great picture of life in those times, I was really there with her, really lost myself in the reading of this. Well done indeed.
you really can spin the yarn!
It reminds me of stories of dark ages! Ancient and classical ones!
It is hard to digest all the things you do with your poetry. I love the word-combinations with repeted beginning consonants, all the vivid images and sensory and action-packed words. The Celtics were not afraid to die: men and women riding nude on their horses and all shouting the battle cry.
what an amazing story i love stories like this
god i love your stories so much Fay!!!!! i don't think i could ever get enough of those...
The descriptiveness is very good. I appreciate the word texture. Is this poem a retelling of a Celtic myth or did you invent the story?