Drum

Deep within a sacred space.
A small flame burns inside.
A drumbeat growing louder, louder.
I feel the need to ride the sound.

The sacred space grows stronger, outward.
Revealing more of my true need.
I follow the drumbeat steady, louder.
It seems to come from beneath the ground.

Down the snaking spiral, flying.
Across the pathways in my mind.
I make the sacred journey stronger.
Riding rhythms that spin and glide.

Faster and faster, wilder and wilder.
Red hair flying, wind on my skin
Singing, chanting, spinning, dancing.
I am the wildness from within.

The flame grows stronger,
ever deeper.
I journey on inside my mind.
Weaving, wailing, burning, keening.
I feel my roots now my spirit flies.

Darker and darker, deeper and deeper.
I find my centre and hold it, still.
Bathed within the silent darkness.
I feel a rich, dark death begin.

Returning now, along the spiral.
Back in my space, I pause and breathe.
An eternal moment holds me closely.
I feel my home upon this land.

Helen Caladhiel '07

Rambles

Serenity

She sits:
Serene,
Still,
Knowing.
I punch her face,
scratch at her.
In my mind.

She sits:
Serene,
Still,
Strong.
I am filled with rage.
Burning.

She sits:
Serene,
Still,
Knowing.
I struggle with accepting.

She sits:
Serene,
Still,
Dispassionate.
I lie uselessly on the floor.
Dying.

She sits:
Serene,
Still,
For eternity.
I am the ashes blowing
Remaining......


Helen Caladhiel 20/03/07

Local Goddess

Sitting on the riverbank and watching the sunset.
I daydream as the sun sinks below the horizon.
Watching the dancing rivulets of water, as the river flows
shining golden and sparkling in the evening light.

The river meanders on townwards.
The hungry river that has swallowed many a life
of people playing on this riverbank.
I wonder about those lives lost.
swallowed by this local deity.

I sit and look into the deep, brown water.
Thinking with sadness how those
who were dragged into these murky depths
must have felt.
And the heartbreak of those left behind.

Rising upwards with ferocious speed
she floods our little town.
We think we are the ones in control...
The waters break the riverbanks
and take, take whatever is in her path.

It is not to play without respect
with this local goddess who weaves her way
through our town.
For her power is awesome.
And she is ever hungry for more.

Helen Caladhiel.

Equinox Sunrise

16 folks walked up a hill to stand in observance
one of the old gods rising.
Silence so strong you could touch it.
Standing, waiting...... Will the sun ever rise again?
We stand here for all eternity in this moment waiting.

The crow flew overhead with his raucous caw caw
breaking the early morning silence.
The world is asleep except for us it seems.
Us few folk and the forest.
The spirits of place are watchful too,
mindful of this sacred moment.

The lark flew nearby, hovering.
Wings beating and singing the sun up
to rise from his slumbering depths.
The moon is dark right now.
She hides her face from us all
veiled in this timeless moment.

Memories of the fire last night rise up.
Sharing a part of my soul with the flame.
I search to find the inner warmth in memory.
Find a way to escape from the bone chilling cold
that has taken over my body.
Bones rattle in that eternal wait.
Snatches of words drift past my mind.
Will the sun ever rise again...

Clouds are gathered on the far horizon.
Yet still the folks stand in silence, watching.
Sharing this moment is a gift to treasure.
The sky turns blue from grey in a moment
and the god light branches out in rays.
Suddenly we see his face.
Joy rises like liquid gold reflected
from the sky.

A libation is poured and shared.
Bread is broken in a sacred comunion
and scattered on the earth.
A kiss and a hug are exchanged
as someone celebrates the day
they too were born.
Someone starts to sing.
A timeless chant without words.

16 folks on a hill in observance of
one of the old gods rising.

We share that space with each other forever
in my mind and heart.

20/03/07
Helen Caladhiel