Best Eisteddfod Poems
An eisteddfod* is arranged for March 1st
The whole school is encouraged to do their bit
Poetry wasn't my forte in those days
Art was not allowed for this
I decided I would sing a traditional song
Practised whenever I had a spare chance
My voice isn't perfect but I can keep a tune
As times gets nearer wished I had chosen dance.
March 1st arrives our national day, St David's Day
The school was buzzing with most of them here
I try to sing my voice has gone,
Panic sets in I said a prayer
They call out my name and the house I represented
Madame Curie was the one. I opened my mouth to sing
Not a sound came through, my eyes filled with tears
I had practised and practised to get right this thing
My voice I had lost, my nerves were in shreds
Felt like going home and taking to my bed
Instead I shrugged my shoulders, said. C'est la vie
What will be will be, will recite it instead.
They clapped me for trying, felt my shoulders go back
Instead of a song, they had it in verse
I hadn't let my house down just made a different attack
Quick thinking saved me, was just not as rehearsed.
*eisteddfod = annual Welsh festival artistic competition
One of the cultures of Wales
is the eisteddfod* where
people of all lands sing and dance
So many countries try to get to
Llangollen travelling many days
just to perform their dance, song or verse
Dressed in national dress of many hues
making it a colourful artistic event
The crowning of the Bard
Is one of the ceremonies
At the eisteddfod in Llangollen
to the winner of the poem
written in free verse. Whoever wins
is presented with a newly designed crown
A trumpet sounds, prayer chanted
Nom de plume read all is revealed
* nearest english word is session
A pub that's typically Welsh
Has music the English can't squelch
Hymns and arias rule
But, like any gene pool,
The loudest is always a belch!
Wales to me is the land of song
in eisteddfod tradition.
Centuries old poetic celeberation
in eisteddfod tradition.
Welsh lore pulled through Dark Ages
in eisteddfod tradition.
With Celtic culture, language, customs
in eisteddfod tradition.
Wales, famous for rugged landscape
in eisteddfod tradition.
Its mountains have protected it always
in eisteddfod tradition.
Tourists see stately parks and castles
in eisteddfod tradition.
Cultural events, music, literature, showcased
in eisteddfod tradition.
Wales to me is unique within Britain
in eisteddfod tradition.
Was granted an autonomy to govern
in eisteddfod tradition.
Wales yearns greater independence
in eisteddfod tradition.
And continues to protect an identity
in eisteddfod tradition.
3.7.2020
Wales to me is ...
places of unpronounceable beauty
steam trains coastal walks in the rain
castles Cromlechs and Celtic crosses
Diolch yn fawr for the memories ...
beautiful welcoming people
stubborn and fiercely resilient
who gave me a home for years
An immigrant greeted with kindness ...
Wales is where I raised my five children
bandaged scraped knees and innocence
set them forth on their wonderful journey
The most beautiful flag in the world ...
fiery red dragon on white and green
pastures for magic passion and love
proud banner and mythical legends
An anthem unsurpassed by any other ...
land of poets singers and people of stature
spirit not hindered by treacherous hands
or silencing the sweet harp of my land
My farmhouse of field stone and wood ...
coal fired Aga warming the kitchen
providing shelter and sparkling dreams
cows sheep and daffodils cheering me on
Rugby propelling this tiny nation
past oppression and invasion
staking its claim on a peaceful map
my daughter plays for the national team
Eisteddfod recitals dance and song ...
my kids trilingual from the tip of their tongue
international examples of healing the wounds
of ignorance belligerence and aggression
Charming Wales to me is ...
part of my heritage and narration
sea shores and mountain retreats
part of my body mind and soul
05th June 2020 and counting my blessing
‘Croeso y Cymru’ - - - Welcome to Wales
‘Diolch yn fawr’ - - - Thank you very much
Fifth stanza with translations from the anthem