Challenges Entered: Period Poetry
Project: 10th Century Irish Poem
Poem written in English, then translated into Irish. The format, verses that are heptasyllabic quatrains, is the most common surviving format from most of medieval Ireland - this piece would fit in roughly the 10th century. This was inspired by the reopening of the SCA, and seeks to tie the myths of old with the legends we are still making.
I stood today mid fallow
The last of the snow sparkling
with bright late winter sunlight
and deeds of kingly doing
See now the bright steely swords
Of Finn and his glorious men
Might and Wisdom held alike
Yesteryear not forgotten
I stood today mid fallow
A zephyr promising spring
Bearing heroic echoes
Of defeat and uprising
Hear the mighty battle roar
Of Cuchulain the brave
Enemies fall before him
Battle lust to Ulster save
I stood today mid fallow
Three ravens circled above
Harbingers of the oldest myths
Great gods found this land to love
Feel Tuatha de Danann
Mystical and magical
Forging the world around us
Mundane and fantastical
I stood today mid fallow
and saw the green grass growing
Promise of deeds not yet made
By peers of my own knowing
To the field with Sir Stirling
Music by Mistress Lynette
Be the shining dream for all
Make stories none can forget
Sheas mé i móinéar branair
sneachta máirseáil súilíneach
le solas deireadh an gheimhridh
is gníomhais déanta ríthe
Féach anois na claimhte cruach
Ó Fhinn is a fhir ghlórmhara
Bhí neart agus eagna ann
am gan dearmad a dhéanamh
Sheas mé i móinéar branair
An t-Earrach gealladh fúthu
Ag macallaí curata
an ruaig is an éirí ‘mach
Éist leis an Gáir chatha mor
As Cuchulain an tréamanta
Titeann namhaid os a chomhair
Drúis Cath go Cúige Uladh
Sheas mé i móinéar branair
Trí fhithín a chuaigh timpeall
Réamhtheachtairí de na miotais
Fuair déithe móra grá don tír seo
Mothaigh Tuatha de Danann
Mistiúil agus draíochta
Ag cruthú an domhain timpeall
Saolta agus fantaiseach
Sheas mé i móinéar branair
Chonaic mé an féar glas ag fás
Gníomhais nach bhfuil déanta fós
Ag piaraí is eol dom féin
Chun na páirce le Sir Stirling
Ceol álain le Máistreás Lynette
Bí ar an ard-aisling do chách
Déan scéalta dodhéanta dearmad