Earth stone and sky sing this song of magic
sounding the names as incantations on the
four winds to whisper in your prescence
Moel Tŷ Uchaf o gymru*
Tara ó chroílár na muire**
Boscawen-Un in the ancient land of Kernow
Castlerigg and Arbour Low in fair England
Machrie Moor and Callanish on Scottish islands
A land of old stones sung to life by ancient druids
the land i call home
the land in my bones
*Moel Tŷ Uchaf from Wales
*Tara in the heart of Eire
Footnote. Thanks for the interest in these magical place names and the ‘sound of them’ I am of Irish descent but not a Gaelic speaker and I lived in Wales many a year but again not a native speaker. I’ve done my best with the pronunciations of those parts in this recording of the poem.
For those who wish to see the places named here are photo links ( not mine)
NaPoWriMo day 20…so far so good…as usual…hanging with the toads.
I do like the sound of the names. Moel strikes a chord and reminds me of a little stroll I took up Moel Hebog once.
A beautiful poem!! The names of the places sound ancient old, romantic and mysterious.
Now THESE names conjure up ancient sites, myth and magic. Gorgeous to read and envision, Paul. I especially love “the land in my bones”. A glorious write.
Love these place names and agree with Sherry, they conjure up wonderful images of times gone by. I’d like to hear them pronounced for I love the sound of old language. I especially like the line
“A land of old stones sung to life by ancient druids”
I forgot to say, your opening line is magical. A wonderful beginning to such a beautiful poem.
This poem evokes a sense of mystery and magic 💖 a beautiful response to the prompt!😊
The land in your bones. Spoken of as a true son of the soil.
So much love in this poem for the land in your bones. A gorgeous write and full of so much magic and myth. I too would love to hear the words and names pronounced.
https://clyp.it/usp2uuil
Oh, that’s lovely! The last three lines in particular … though the actual names do things to me too. The Celt in me rouses in response, charging my blood.
I’d love to HEAR this poem (and you would have cringed at my interpretation!) “land in my bones” is AWESOME
https://clyp.it/usp2uuil
we walk a mythical, ancient path, paved with old bones, songs and stories carried in blood, birthed in the sky’s fire
stellar Paul!
The names are like a magical incantation which must have stirred my ancestor’s bones because I got gooseflesh while reading.
I came back to listen to your reading. Thank you for recording. The place names resonate in the throat and your tone reveals the love you have for the land you call home.
The names of such places are magic to us, to you it’s home. Love that contrast.
These are strange and beautiful sounding places Paul. Thank you for shari ng
Much🌼love
I love what you’ve done with the wonderful Celtic names, Paul. I’m just back from Cardiff where I heard some Welsh, especially on the station platform while I was waiting for the train back to London. I’m always amazed when I hear English place names sprinkled in among the Welsh words – except for London which is always given its Welsh name – in defiance, I think! The Irish took me back to my previous life in the wilds of County Meath.
What stands out for me in your poem is the first line ‘Earth stone and sky sing this song of magic’; I imagine standing stones and circles of stone, which exist all over the British Isles and which encircle their mutual history. I also like the ‘four winds’ which represent all four countries and absolutely love the final lines – I’m with you there, Paul..
Thanks Kim. Each of the locations written about here is a stone circle/ancient site. Well spotted.