Scribing words to call the music in your soul
Old Cailleach’s bite blustery cold,
Her cloak shimmering frosted snow,
A shivering welcome hiding spring
Home warms the soul.
© 2023, Maggie Grimes
The painting is of Brandon Hill, Co Kilkenny. I have to say the cottage is my creation but I wanted a warm haven from the snow and cold of December and January. MJG
The adventure approaches
Drawing close
Anticipation and chaos
Handfast in preparation
Heart yearning for home
Yet hard to leave
Roots strain across the water
Inviting
Dreams can alter, grow
And not be lost
Her voices call me
Ireland.
© 2023, Maggie Grimes
The painting was inspired by a photo of Benbulbin by CarverPhotograpy. I look at it and it is easy to think of Ireland. It invites an adventure. MJG
Summer’s ripe,
Days loath the yielding to night
So rousing early,
Old Bridey stirs,
She’ll be out soon
Tending her day,
If she sees me,
Mist soft
She’ll speak,
She’ll wish me good morn,
Then share the village gossip
As she works,
Bridey will remind me
I must leave her hens alone,
I always do (unless they stray),
We are comfortable together,
Old bones warming in the sun
With our shared memories,
Our babes born and grown,
Seeking their own adventures
Still loved and missed,
Stretching I rise,
Knowing Bridey’s Blessing
I stalk the hidden mouse.
© 2022, Maggie Grimes
I look at a lot of photos of Ireland which inspires much of my art and poetry. One was of a fox which reminded me of the one that I sometimes see. We share quiet communications in our solitary tasks; I tending the horse and the fox its survey for it’s lawful prey. We are comfortable with the other’s presence. MJG
She calls me
Long these many years,
Her songs
Her stories
Her poetry,
They speak of times
My people might have lived
Of places
They once walked
Of people they did love,
She calls me,
Ireland,
I was going home
Almost,
But these times
Are what they are,
In my art
I travel,
Her voice,
Sings in my poetry
Ireland calling still.
© 2020 Maggie Grimes
My planned trip to Ireland must wait a while longer. In the meantime, I paint and write my way there. My painting is of Kilfane Glen, Co Kilkenny, a picturesque garden dating from the 1790s. MJG
The moon dances
Nightwind playing
Darkness sings with hidden voices
Feel the gravid power
Danu teeming
Birthing springtime with her riches
Join the dancers in their masks
Wildness leaping
‘Round the watch fires burning
Darkness kisses burning skin
Passion calling
Driving mad with ancient wisdom
Beltane beckons.
© 2020 Maggie Grimes
Beltane was the ancient Celtic celebration of spring. Old fires were extinguished and new ones lit. Fields and lifestock were blessed to insure fertility in the coming summer. Human connection, dependance, and responsibility to the land were reaffirmed. MJG
It is dark
In the beginning,
The stars
Distant and cold,
The wind chilling
What warmth survived,
Sheep and shepherds
Huddle for warmth
Dreaming sunshine and spring,
Imperceptibly the darkness
Brightens to blinding light,
A whisper grows
To living thunder,
“Fear not
I bring joyful tidings,
A Savior is born
To God’s glory
And peace for earth,”
Eternal gift of Hope
Light unconquerable,
He is born.
© 2019 Maggie Grimes
May the hope and joy
of Christmas and a
Blessed New Year
be yours.
Samhain comes
To moon washed meadows gleaming
Eager and expectant,
She dances
Wrapt in dreams and laughter
Mistress of the night,
She sings
Ancient songs to snare the soul
Passions from a different time,
Samhain comes
Melding worlds of separate realms
Changing with her touch.
©2019 Maggie Grimes
Samhain of the ancient Celts was a celebration and recognition of endings and beginnings. The labors and harvest of summer in preparation for winter done. The approaching darkness and cold of winter warmed by the hope of spring. The portals between realms, between Fae and human, the living and the dead, were open. Life ends, life begins, a Great Wheel turning, terrifying and enticing. Happy Halloween. MJG
I would know the Great Hunt
Just once more
Seek mysteries
Ageless power calling,
I would thrill to Hounds’ song
Just once more
Noble prey seeking
Field and forest coursing,
I would chase the Moon Road
Just once more
Seek the moonbeams dancing
Silvered shadows chasing,
I will know the Great Hunt
Just once more
Finding change
Clean, cold wind chilling.
©2019 Maggie Grimes
The ancient celebration of Samhain approaches when the Fae could freely leave their sidhe. If the horns of the Great Hunt sounds, stay home, lock your doors, hide away lest you become their prey. Only a cat would brave the magic with such nonchalance. MJG
She rests
Amidst the marshy grasses
Dreaming
Days plying the island routes
Wind and wave lifting
Lost in time,
She danced
Sea spray lacing her bow
Sailing
Her paint fresh against the waves
Chasing lightly the seals
Her frothy road guiding,
She felt
Her Master’s hand
Guiding
Firm upon the wheel
His voice next to God
Sending deck hands leaping,
She labors
Fishing or cargo and passengers hauling
Serving
Racing rising storm
To best the wind and drowning waves
For home’s sweet calm,
She rests
Amidst the marshy grasses
Dreaming
Days plying the island routes
Battered but harbor safe
Lost in time.
© 2019 Maggie Grimes
The painting and poem are inspired by a photo taken by Liam McNamara. The poet in me saw no defeat in the boat, battered though she was. I wish I could have done greater justice to his photo. MJG
There is a place
Of swirling mists
And sparkling seas
Craggy cliffs overtowering
Pounded by crashing waves
Seals drowsing on the shores
Dreaming stories,
Mystic waves of people
Coming and claiming
‘Til battles’ clangor the peace destroying
Mists reclaiming
Gods of power falling
Fae of sidhe
The Great Hunt riding,
Clans and kingdoms rising
Heroes born, trained to purpose
Fighting exquisite monsters
Braving terrors, following honor
And impossible quests
Gifts of songs and stories
Bequeathing.
©2019 Maggie Grimes
All I’ve read, studied, heard, and dreamed of Ireland only serves to inspire more writing, more painting, more studying. I am well past the naivety of youth to believe that Ireland is perfect but she still entices. MJG
celtic singer 