Premiere Contest WinnerLand of My Fathers

The land of my Fathers is where I belong,
Its valleys and hillsides all bursting with song.
The tale of 'Myfanwy' is often retold
And grown men shed tears as the sad facts unfold.
This haunting refrain from a Welsh male voice choir
Will cause even cynical hearts to admire.

Welsh daffodil woods put forced roses to shame,
Whilst Cambrian coastlines make others look lame.
A fearless red dragon fires mythical tales
Along with Saint David, the Patron of Wales.
And soulful Welsh poetry lives on with pride;
Its lyrical excellence can't be denied.

Like Bard, Dylan Thomas, Welsh spirits still fight
They 'do not go gentle into that good night'.
Old chapels still echo revivals of old
And heart-rending tales of brave miners unfold.
The land of my birth and my forefathers' rest
Provides a warm homeland for which I feel blessed.


02/09/18
'My country 'tis of thee' Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Brahn Bailey

revised : 10/12/18 for the contest : 'Tribute to native culture poetry contest'
sponsored by Line Gauthier
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018


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Date: 2/17/2022 5:20:00 AM
A very beautiful poem. Congratulations!
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Date: 8/26/2021 10:32:00 PM
The land of my birth and my forefathers' rest Provides a warm homeland for which I feel blessed. - Patriotism is revealed beautifully. Congratulations on your win!
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Date: 1/18/2020 2:39:00 PM
Congratulations on your win!;)
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Wendy Watson
Date: 1/18/2020 3:37:00 PM
Thank you again for 'dropping by', Brenda.
Date: 2/18/2019 2:44:00 PM
How wonderfully patriotic. My mom is always telling me that I must have gotten my poetry from being Welsh. I think I am at least 1/3 Welsh!! Congrats for your lovely win.
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Wendy Watson
Date: 1/18/2020 3:36:00 PM
Oh interesting. Yes it has produced some fine poets but I'd love to be able to read those written in the Welsh language which would have such soul.
Date: 2/16/2019 9:54:00 PM
Oh, Wendy, I LOVED this! So glad you were in this contest so I found your work! Well done!
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Wendy Watson
Date: 1/18/2020 3:35:00 PM
Thank you, Cindy. I'm so glad that you enjoyed this poem with a personal touch.
Date: 2/14/2019 9:39:00 PM
I'm proud just to have read it Wendy!
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Wendy Watson
Date: 1/18/2020 3:32:00 PM
What a great comment. Thank you for taking the time to read and encourage, Craig.
Date: 2/14/2019 9:52:00 AM
A great contender in this and any contest. Well done.
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Wendy Watson
Date: 1/18/2020 3:31:00 PM
Thank you for such a lovely comment,Joyce.
Date: 2/13/2019 8:03:00 PM
Back with more congrats, Wendy.
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Wendy Watson
Date: 1/18/2020 3:31:00 PM
Thank you as always for your encouragement,Line.
Date: 2/13/2019 6:27:00 PM
Wendy, this is awesome! Congratulations on your second-place win on Mile 17 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon Contest! Thank you so much for supporting my contests. By continuing to place in the contests you are accumulating points toward the final. ~Mark
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Wendy Watson
Date: 1/18/2020 3:31:00 PM
Gosh - what an honour. I'm glad you enjoyed reading this one,Mark.
Date: 12/16/2018 9:36:00 PM
Wales is very beautiful country and your pride of native culture shines in this piece Wendy! Congratulations on your wonderul win...and your trophy win too! I loved this! Happy holidays! : )
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Wendy Watson
Date: 1/18/2020 3:30:00 PM
Thank you so much, Connie. Yes Welsh holidays as a child bring back fond memories.
Date: 12/15/2018 6:06:00 PM
A wondrous poem, Wendy. Exceptional imagery and emotion convey your pride and love of your homeland. Wales must be quite beautiful to inspire this exquisite piece. Congratulations on your wonderful win. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
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Wendy Watson
Date: 1/18/2020 3:29:00 PM
There are some beautiful areas and both parents were from Wales, Susan. Sadly, I wasn't brought up in the Welsh-speaking area of Wales but learning at least a sprinkling of the language is on my 'to do' list this year.
Date: 12/15/2018 12:51:00 PM
Hi Wendy, congratulations on your win in Line's contest with this piece. Well deserved. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs....Mike. XX
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Wendy Watson
Date: 1/18/2020 3:27:00 PM
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Vladislay.
Date: 12/15/2018 11:49:00 AM
A beautifully penned introduction to Welsh history, Wendy. Congratulations on your win in Line's contest. Sending wishes for holiday cheer, Carolyn
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Wendy Watson
Date: 2/14/2019 10:24:00 AM
Thank you,Carolyn. I always feel at home when I return to the valley of song!
Date: 9/11/2018 9:59:00 AM
Wonderful! I was once told that I had Welsh ancestry. My research says otherwise; mostly English. But I had a Manx cat once, does that count? A great piece work Wendy, Congratulations. Dean
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Wendy Watson
Date: 2/14/2019 10:23:00 AM
Ah- afraid not, Dean as they hail from the Isle of Man! Thank you for your very kind remarks,Dean. I believe that the first Welsh settler made his home in Virginia so you must have some good choirs around that area!
Date: 9/9/2018 10:35:00 AM
Such a lovely, well-written tribute to your homeland, Wendy. Congratulations on your well-deserved First Place Trophy win! Hugs, Sandra
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Wendy Watson
Date: 9/9/2018 2:53:00 PM
Thank you for your continued encouragement, Sandra.
Date: 9/8/2018 3:34:00 PM
Worth another visit and hearty congrats. An awesome poem, Wendy.
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Wendy Watson
Date: 9/9/2018 2:54:00 PM
Thank you so much, Line. Wales holds memories from childhood to the present.
Date: 9/6/2018 10:38:00 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved win Wendy with your beautifully written couplets, I have many wonderful memories of time spent in Wales, beautiful country and most welcoming people. :))
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Wendy Watson
Date: 9/9/2018 2:56:00 PM
Oh I'm glad to hear it, Roy. I hope you sampled the famous 'Welsh cakes' while you were there!
Date: 9/5/2018 11:38:00 PM
Congratulations on topspot. A great tribute to Wales and your connection comes thru strongly.
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Wendy Watson
Date: 9/9/2018 2:57:00 PM
Thank you so much for the encouraging remarks, Virginia.
Date: 9/5/2018 8:56:00 PM
Wonderful poem Wendy! Congratulations on your fine trophy win! xomo :)
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Wendy Watson
Date: 9/9/2018 2:58:00 PM
You're such an encouragement! Thank you, Maureen.
Date: 9/5/2018 5:04:00 PM
Love it :) a worthy winner
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Wendy Watson
Date: 9/9/2018 2:59:00 PM
That's so kind of you, Jeff. Wales is full of happy memories from childhood and to the present.
Date: 9/5/2018 3:05:00 PM
Da iawn Wendy. Knew this one would do well. Tom
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Wendy Watson
Date: 9/5/2018 3:10:00 PM
Thank you so much Tom. I'm just revisiting 'How green was my valley' and am feeling rather nostalgic!
Date: 9/5/2018 12:33:00 PM
Well done, Wendy. Congrats on your gold medal win.
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Wendy Watson
Date: 9/5/2018 3:13:00 PM
That's very kind of you, Line. I think the mention of Dylan Thomas earned me a few 'brownie points!'
Date: 9/5/2018 10:29:00 AM
Brilliant. A well deserved trophy win.
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Wendy Watson
Date: 9/5/2018 11:38:00 AM
That's so kind of you, Jesse. If you've never heard the song 'Myfanwy' it's worth googling to appreciate the sentiment expressed!
Date: 9/5/2018 10:05:00 AM
Wendy, this is a beautiful tribute to your homeland, and a wonderfully constructed poem with excellent meter. Congrats on your well deserved trophy win. John
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Wendy Watson
Date: 9/5/2018 11:39:00 AM
You're such an encouragement, John! Having only put pen to paper in this way a couple of months ago, it's great to be spurned on by your kind remarks.
Date: 9/2/2018 12:35:00 PM
Beautiful verse, beautiful country, my daughter moved there a couple of years ago so we go down quite a lot, was there yesterday. Good luck in the contest. Tom
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/5/2018 3:00:00 PM
Haha, I can say it in English.
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Wendy Watson
Date: 9/5/2018 11:40:00 AM
Thank you so much, Tom! I wish I could say more in the language than the tongue-twisting station!!
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