Wendy Watson Poet Rhyme

Land 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

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Christuraj Alex February 17, 2022 at 5:20 AM A very beautiful poem. Congratulations!

Christuraj Alex August 26, 2021 at 10:32 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!

Brenda Chiri January 18, 2020 at 2:39 PM Congratulations on your win!;) Wendy Watson January 18, 2020 at 3:37 PM Thank you again for 'dropping by', Brenda.

Andrea Dietrich February 18, 2019 at 2:44 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. Wendy Watson January 18, 2020 at 3:36 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.

Cindi Rockwell February 16, 2019 at 9:54 PM Oh, Wendy, I LOVED this! So glad you were in this contest so I found your work! Well done! Wendy Watson January 18, 2020 at 3:35 PM Thank you, Cindy. I'm so glad that you enjoyed this poem with a personal touch.

Craig Cornish February 14, 2019 at 9:39 PM I'm proud just to have read it Wendy! Wendy Watson January 18, 2020 at 3:32 PM What a great comment. Thank you for taking the time to read and encourage, Craig.

Joyce Johnson February 14, 2019 at 9:52 AM A great contender in this and any contest. Well done. Wendy Watson January 18, 2020 at 3:31 PM Thank you for such a lovely comment,Joyce.

Line Gauthier February 13, 2019 at 8:03 PM Back with more congrats, Wendy. Wendy Watson January 18, 2020 at 3:31 PM Thank you as always for your encouragement,Line.

Mark Toney February 13, 2019 at 6:27 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 Wendy Watson January 18, 2020 at 3:31 PM Gosh - what an honour. I'm glad you enjoyed reading this one,Mark.

Connie Marcum Wong December 16, 2018 at 9:36 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! : ) Wendy Watson January 18, 2020 at 3:30 PM Thank you so much, Connie. Yes Welsh holidays as a child bring back fond memories.

Susan Ashley December 15, 2018 at 6:06 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 Wendy Watson January 18, 2020 at 3:29 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.

Vladislav Raven December 15, 2018 at 12:51 PM Hi Wendy, congratulations on your win in Line's contest with this piece. Well deserved. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs....Mike. XX Wendy Watson January 18, 2020 at 3:27 PM Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Vladislay.

Carolyn Devonshire December 15, 2018 at 11:49 AM A beautifully penned introduction to Welsh history, Wendy. Congratulations on your win in Line's contest. Sending wishes for holiday cheer, Carolyn Wendy Watson February 14, 2019 at 10:24 AM Thank you,Carolyn. I always feel at home when I return to the valley of song!

Dean Wood September 11, 2018 at 9:59 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 Wendy Watson February 14, 2019 at 10:23 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!

Sandra Haight September 9, 2018 at 10:35 AM Such a lovely, well-written tribute to your homeland, Wendy. Congratulations on your well-deserved First Place Trophy win! Hugs, Sandra Wendy Watson September 9, 2018 at 2:53 PM Thank you for your continued encouragement, Sandra.

Line Gauthier September 8, 2018 at 3:34 PM Worth another visit and hearty congrats. An awesome poem, Wendy. Wendy Watson September 9, 2018 at 2:54 PM Thank you so much, Line. Wales holds memories from childhood to the present.

Roy Pett September 6, 2018 at 10:38 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. :)) Wendy Watson September 9, 2018 at 2:56 PM Oh I'm glad to hear it, Roy. I hope you sampled the famous 'Welsh cakes' while you were there!

Virginia Waters September 5, 2018 at 11:38 PM Congratulations on topspot. A great tribute to Wales and your connection comes thru strongly. Wendy Watson September 9, 2018 at 2:57 PM Thank you so much for the encouraging remarks, Virginia.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart September 5, 2018 at 8:56 PM Wonderful poem Wendy! Congratulations on your fine trophy win! xomo :) Wendy Watson September 9, 2018 at 2:58 PM You're such an encouragement! Thank you, Maureen.

Jeff Kantor September 5, 2018 at 5:04 PM Love it :) a worthy winner Wendy Watson September 9, 2018 at 2:59 PM That's so kind of you, Jeff. Wales is full of happy memories from childhood and to the present.

Tom Cunningham September 5, 2018 at 3:05 PM Da iawn Wendy. Knew this one would do well. Tom Wendy Watson September 5, 2018 at 3:10 PM Thank you so much Tom. I'm just revisiting 'How green was my valley' and am feeling rather nostalgic!

Line Gauthier September 5, 2018 at 12:33 PM Well done, Wendy. Congrats on your gold medal win. Wendy Watson September 5, 2018 at 3:13 PM That's very kind of you, Line. I think the mention of Dylan Thomas earned me a few 'brownie points!'

Jesse Rowe September 5, 2018 at 10:29 AM Brilliant. A well deserved trophy win. Wendy Watson September 5, 2018 at 11:38 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!

John Gondolf September 5, 2018 at 10:05 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 Wendy Watson September 5, 2018 at 11:39 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.

Tom Cunningham September 2, 2018 at 12:35 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 Tom Cunningham September 5, 2018 at 3:00 PM Haha, I can say it in English. Wendy Watson September 5, 2018 at 11:40 AM Thank you so much, Tom! I wish I could say more in the language than the tongue-twisting station!!