i gave up
reading
after years
of intensive
university
had to read
readings
from Tagore
to Alban
so now
i watch
movies
some
campy
others
master
pieces
so recently
i found
a japanese
film from
way back
on a list
that i keep
in my
back
pocket
so i
pop
some
pop
corn
always
adding
parmesan
cheese and
i
sit
down
and start
to watch
not believing
all the actors
and actresses
are speaking in
japanese
so now
i have
to read
subtitles
sending me
back to university
where now i find
i have to read a movie
Categories:
alban, muse,
Form: I do not know?
(The Appian Way was the main highway leading south
from ancient Rome. It still exists today, and is a beautiful
stretch of peaceful, traffic-free road, surrounded by Roman
tombs and umbrella pines. The following is my English
version of a sonnet by the Italian poet, Alfonso Gatto.)
Night everlasting scurries to the trees
in silence. Cold, the roadway mourns its dead,
who lie in these green verges. Sounds have fled
through air which is harmonious, at ease.
As dawn comes up, the far blue Alban Hills
swim into view through slender cypresses,
and water gurgles in its sad recesses.
Sweet place to sleep, despite the morning chills.
Here, breathe in the sweep of history.
Just ponder who has passed along these stones!
The white wind thrumming from the Tyrrhenian Sea
blows dry from Africa, exposing bones
of senators and slaves. This sacred ground
feels special, with so many dead around.
Categories:
alban, history,
Form: Sonnet
Dawn at Stonehenge, where white robed figures take center stage,
this ancient ceremony has been performed there since the Ice Age.
Summer Solstice or Alban Hefin means ‘the light of the shore’
Druids celebrate this rite of ‘the cycle of life’ since days of yore.
Our sun’s strength is declining as we approach the waning year.
the solar god is crowned, ‘arise o sun’ is the chant onlookers hear.
Summer solstice is a time to celebrate renewal, fertility and life,
and many give thanks for the souls of the departed in the afterlife
Summer Solstice Contest Sponsored by Shadow Hamilton
06~04~16
Categories:
alban, celebration, summer, sun,
Form: Rhyme
It was May Day and Beltane was the time
Druid Arwn with flowing mane his Grove did call
With upraised arms he did chant in ancient rime
The Sun God ascendeth, but the Solstice marketh his fall!
The 21 of Jun, Alban Hefin will be in the heavens
And crown him we will at his highest peak.
So go forth my orders of Incantations and covens
And hollyhock, and mandrake, and oaken mistletoe seek.
Cut down these herbs as Tanith rides on high
With sickle of gold as you mount on white bulls
Destined at Solstice to bleed and to die
At the moment holy Henge with Sol's light fulls
So gather we will on the 20th of Jun
At the dale of the Henge at the rise of the Moon
To the centre of the circle we'll go up the ramp
We'll set up a pentagram and there we will camp.
As the Heel bathes in glory with the rays of the sun
We'll offer our bulls to the Lord of the Day
Send up our chants and surely have fun
And prepare for Alban Arthan - Lord of the Fey.
~25 May 2016~
Categories:
alban, celebration, summer, sun,
Form: Rhyme
Alban Hefin, 'The Light of Shore'-
for Summer Solstice, was their name,
in ancient times of Druidry-
from the shore then the power came.
And there the realms, earth, sky, and sea
would meet that time of greatest light
when Solar God was duly crowned
the King of Summer at that sight.
There was much joy, but sadness too-
for summer days would soon cool down;
then Winter Solstice, Alban Arthan,
sends Holly King to claim the crown.
Oak King was Summer Solstice God;
dark brother, Winter's Holly King.
They fought for, at each Equinox,
the crown, their Goddess vowed to bring.
The festivals of Druidry,
at Summer Solstice on this Earth,
revered the seasons' cycles as
'Wheel of the Year'- life, death, rebirth.
Categories:
alban, celebration,
Form: Quatrain
Celtic Priest stands tall
Village folk wide eyed in hope
Sun will hear his call
Inspired by the Winter Solstice Haiku Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Seashell Island
Categories:
alban, faith, life, nature, seasons
Form: Haiku