Celtic Poetry 

The Jackdaw's Ring

Jackdaw's love cabbage, Jackdaw's love peas;

Jackdaw's love apples and maybe some cheese;

Jackdaw's tell stories when they flock in the trees;

Where they'll taunt you and mock you and squawk when they please;

Jackdaw's love sapphires, diamonds and strings;

Old glasses, coins, buttons and things;

Yet one treasure of treasures a magical ring;

They gave as a tribute to their Jackdaw King.

 

The Moon and Seven Stars

Once upon a time beneath the Moon and Seven Stars;

A Swan and Seven Cignets swam upon a mirror Lake;

An Elfish Women came from the hills and music she would make;

To the Stars she played upon her Harp beside the lovely Pond;

And when at last she'd played enough she left before the dawn;

Daylight fades again the Swan's that swam upon the Lake;

Could hear again the tales the ancient Harp would make.

 

The Lindorm's Cup

Down the steep winding tunnel, the darkness filled with fumes;

Chimney reeks of brimstone, and fire of earth their elements enclose;

To empty out upon a great cavernous room filled with the hoard of a Lindorm;

Sleeping there upon a glittering bed of treasure a great armored splendor;

The treasure cursed, so sang the Skalds, was unknown to some of bolder mood;

The young Warrior said, I'll have that Cup, with filigree work so fine;

So he stole it home to look, more close and have with heart felt toast;

A cup of blood red Mead, and celebrate his luck, yet when the Cup approached his lips;

Then from within the a claw appeared, and grasped the youth about his head;

And while he screamed it pulled him in, through the Cups golden gleaming red lipped mouth;

Till of the young man t'wernt nothing left as it toppled to the ground;

His blood flung out it struck the floor, to ring from wall to wall.

 

 

 

Haiku and Tanka 

Fuyu

You are warmth to me

When all the leaves have fallen

Against the cold winter

 

Shinzui

My breath gives voice to

The Shakuhachi spirit

A call from Heaven

 

Kurogi

Lilac scented dark

As we walk in the Garden

Crickets sing at night

 

Komuso

Mysterious sound

My Heart the cry of a Crane

Across the River

 

Tonbo

Twilight Summer air

Full of dancing Dragonflies

Shade beneath the Trees

 

Chochinobake

Autumn Harvest Moon

A paper Lantern glowing

Ghost upon the wind

 

Mizuchi

The Shining River

with its belly full of Fish

headed toward the Sea

and its gleaming silver scales

wind through the valley below

 

Tengu

Wrapped in their dark Cloaks

They walk the Roads of Winter

Swords hang from their Belts

They need rarely speak in words

As they haunt me in my dreams

 

Yofune Nushi

The Earth rolls and heaves

Crashing waves upon the shore

Surging of the Sea

Leave the air filled with fin mist

Great Sea Dragon of the Deep

 

 These next three Poems go with paintings I've made

 

The Silent Snowfall 

The Silent Snowfall

In winter twilight Forest

On my journey home

 

The Shining Stars of Heaven

Through woven branches

The shining Stars of Heaven

Chill the Autumn night

 

The Garden

Song upon the Wing

Neath the twilight crescent Moon

Now upon the Path

 

By Moonlight in the Forest

Sing now my spirit

by Moonlight in the Forest

floating on the wind

 

Jazz Glyph

If smooth and new age

Of strings, keys, bass, drums and voice

Hot and progressive

Ripe passionate expletives

a-Blat-a Blat, Squee do-wah.