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
Little springtime
Are Nature’s blessings
That brush aside
Winter’s tousled hair
Clearing her wild eyes,
Brief, bright moments
Of stolen sweetness
And cherished warmth
While harsh winter rests
Her frigid labors,
Such stillness calls
The battered spirits
From their struggles
To bask reveling
In warm caresses,
Little springtimes
Are Nature’s blessings
Intimacies
When Earth delights
In shivering pleasure.
© 2021 Maggie Grimes
The first of February is celebrated as Imbolc, the beginning of spring. Although Brighid, Dagda’s daughter is bright and eager for fresh beginnings, frigid Cailleach doesn’t let go easily. Still, early blooms peep through the snow, eager for life. MJG
Implacable in her hunger
The Old Woman tightens her coils,
Nature smothered
To whispered pleas ,
Hypnotic power in her gaze
The Old Woman paralyzes,
Nature entrapped
By sunless time,
Arrogant, pitiless power
The Old Woman consumes,
Nature restrained
A new spring waits.
© 2020 Maggie Grimes
Cailleach is the winter goddess, often seen as a crone, older than time. Hers is the primal power of destruction which leads to renewal. One must endure the storms of winter to find spring. MJG.
Hurry travelers
Race the coming darkness
Already watchfires blink and kindle,
Be still and listen
Lift high your head
Testing the wind
Like the wild deer,
Darkness stalks the careless,
The daring,
The foolish,
Creeping closer,
Winds stir
Rattling the sleepy trees,
Gateways open in the hills
Wild music skirling
Worlds meeting
Anticipation shivers
Moon kissed shadows,
Soon, soon
Changes come
Both the gaining and the losing,
The Fae folk ride
And lost ones roam,
If you must venture
Keep your lanterns lit
And know where the water races,
Samhain plays tonight.
© 2020 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. Life ends, life begins, a Great Wheel turning, terrifying and enticing. Happy Halloween. 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.
The Old One stirs
Stretching from her sleep,
Her blanket warm
And autumn hued,
Yawning she rises
Blinking her bright eyes
Sleep fading,
Washing her vivid blanket
She scrubs and rinses
In the gurgling spring,
Whitely shimmering
She spreds her blanket in the sun,
Her eyes twinkle
As she smiles,
Her purpose calls
Her journey to begin,
Removing old and worn,
Giving needed respite
To the land,
Preparing earth
For fecund spring,
To plant afresh
You first must reap,
To awaken healed
You first must sleep,
The new replaces old,
Her eyes warm
Ageless and wise.
© 2019 Maggie Grimes
Cailleach is the winter goddess, the crone, the old hag. She is a power of destruction and renewal. It is difficult sometimes to find hope in the middle of an icy storm, but spring comes only after winter. It is worth the wait. MJG.
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
Autumn is intense
All colors saturated
A gift from summer,
Trees are living flames
Teeming bonfires blaze with light
The forest glowing,
Skies of fall, blue
Searing sight with clarity
So memories are brightened,
Clear air crisps each breath
Clean lungs invigorating
Cold yet warmed by life,
Promises are made
Painted in vibrant pigments
Payment for winter,
Autumn.
©2019 Maggie Grimes
I love the vivid clarity and crispness of autumn. With the drought and extreme heat this summer there isn’t much color. I painted a memory of autumn instead. MJG
celtic singer 