deepundergroundpoetry.com
The Druid's Lament
based on Christian hymns
As life became a starry tomb,
pinpoints of light above,
how holy was the virgin's womb,
the journeys of the dove?
Does myth collapse like old fetters
before the fact of death?
When Charlemagne came with letters
and swords to tame the Celtic breath.
When "Christianise" meant something grand,
when blood was soon forgot.
Do Druids have souls, God's right hand
encompassing or not?
From Joseph's staff there came a tree,
on pagan mud a church
was built in worship and in glee:
the old religion stripped like birch.
The stone circles are honoured now,
preserved and toured where once
they may have seemed a lowly sow:
a sacrificial dunce.
What avenues to holiness
were lost in holy purge?
The answer waits in endlessness,
where souls greet and converge.
As life became a starry tomb,
pinpoints of light above,
how holy was the virgin's womb,
the journeys of the dove?
Does myth collapse like old fetters
before the fact of death?
When Charlemagne came with letters
and swords to tame the Celtic breath.
When "Christianise" meant something grand,
when blood was soon forgot.
Do Druids have souls, God's right hand
encompassing or not?
From Joseph's staff there came a tree,
on pagan mud a church
was built in worship and in glee:
the old religion stripped like birch.
The stone circles are honoured now,
preserved and toured where once
they may have seemed a lowly sow:
a sacrificial dunce.
What avenues to holiness
were lost in holy purge?
The answer waits in endlessness,
where souls greet and converge.
Published 25th Mar 2017
| Edited 27th Sep 2018
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 6
reading list entries 1
comments 7
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Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
25th Mar 2017 8:06pm
This is a poem in my Anglican Ghost series. (I've stopped putting that in the title to give the poems less baggage, if that makes sense. I'd like them to stand alone.) Previous Anglican Ghost poems:
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/255919-its-presence-an-anglican-ghost-ii/
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/255727-a-glory-of-death-an-anglican-ghost-i/
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/255919-its-presence-an-anglican-ghost-ii/
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/255727-a-glory-of-death-an-anglican-ghost-i/
Anonymous
- Edited 25th Mar 2017 10:38pm
25th Mar 2017 10:37pm
What you have created here is a stunning story of progression, blood, stone circles, magic and belief that still have a place today (and has become very dear to me).
Having studied Druidry for the last year of my life, I feel that this is a sensitive and well written insight into how religion has moved in this country over the centuries. The oppression of Paganism in this country has a long and bloody history, and the giving way to the Christian ideology was a well written path. People forget that the Pagans were here long before Christianity entered these shores.
I just dig the language you've used to create this so much, it was a perfect choice for this type of poem. There's something lyrically profound about the old Christian hymns. It's something you just don't find anymore. They were little works of art.
"When "Christianise" meant something grand,
when blood was soon forgot.
Do Druids have souls, God's right hand
encompassing or not?"
1) Druid's have souls 😉
2) Totally read that out loud like the "GINGER'S HAVE SOULS!" video lol
Ah, wonderful stuff. 👍🏻
Having studied Druidry for the last year of my life, I feel that this is a sensitive and well written insight into how religion has moved in this country over the centuries. The oppression of Paganism in this country has a long and bloody history, and the giving way to the Christian ideology was a well written path. People forget that the Pagans were here long before Christianity entered these shores.
I just dig the language you've used to create this so much, it was a perfect choice for this type of poem. There's something lyrically profound about the old Christian hymns. It's something you just don't find anymore. They were little works of art.
"When "Christianise" meant something grand,
when blood was soon forgot.
Do Druids have souls, God's right hand
encompassing or not?"
1) Druid's have souls 😉
2) Totally read that out loud like the "GINGER'S HAVE SOULS!" video lol
Ah, wonderful stuff. 👍🏻
26th Mar 2017 1:04pm
If only American history textbooks were filled with your honest poetry. They would definitely be more educational and entertaining than what put me to sleep at my desk during the '70s and '80s.
26th Mar 2017 6:02pm
Schools teach most things horribly. I didn't care for Shakespeare until I read him outside class haha. x
Anonymous
26th Mar 2017 9:04pm
https://youtu.be/Ai-19hFQ0_M
You have such a gift and passion for both truth and the written word, Jack. In art we refer to whether or not someone has "it". Either you do or you don't ( though I'm sure it can be cultivated with pure Love). You definitely have "it".
There is truth and untruth in all religions (and things). One's heart just has to discern it. Someone asked me once during a debate how I could see the good in human sacrifice that the Druids 'purportedly' committed? I pointed to the crucifix hanging from their neck and said, "Because sometimes it's what people choose to raise global awareness."
Whatever people choose is their path to their own spiritual evolution. Though it undoubtedly sparks fear in the hearts of some who would war and kill against it.
Another thought-provoking piece, Jack.
There is truth and untruth in all religions (and things). One's heart just has to discern it. Someone asked me once during a debate how I could see the good in human sacrifice that the Druids 'purportedly' committed? I pointed to the crucifix hanging from their neck and said, "Because sometimes it's what people choose to raise global awareness."
Whatever people choose is their path to their own spiritual evolution. Though it undoubtedly sparks fear in the hearts of some who would war and kill against it.
Another thought-provoking piece, Jack.
26th Mar 2017 10:42pm
