The Celtic Bards bids
you welcome to:
The
Garden of reflection
Light a candle and say a prayer, offer your heart to the healing waters of our garden. Honor the life of season's time, by walking through our vines. Bestow beauty as you have loved, and hope to fill the prayers sent from your lips to those above.
To commemorate the lives of your lost loved ones be they human or from the animal world, please be welcome to send your poems, short stories or words of affection for your dear ones departed.
Update 11/10/2003:
The Celtic Bards has turned a year, and with many shared personal struggles I would like to recognize everyone who has given me (Autumn) comfort and support. I would like to acknowledge all those survivors and the wonderful prayer circle we have been able to sustain in chat. As I faced my cancer I know that there are others who have also walked before me, and that I am able to share my story with an open heart to be able to find healing. I have felt a deep sense of loss as part of me was taken, but in turn received understanding and friendship of those who have gathered in our circle. I hope for this to continue and for anyone to please share their hearts and minds as poetry is life-giving and we honor the spirit of our combined inspiration and the knowledge we are able to give to each other in support of all our trials.
The Well
By Alwyn
The well of
wisdom was a place in time,
For the people that it served, to wash their grime.
A pilgrimage was made every day,
It helped to wash their troubles away.
The daily
task of collecting the water pure,
Was a ritual thing to practice their cures.
The customs of a certain age,
Released their fears from a troublesome cage.
The Goddess
evoked from the sky above,
Bestowed on them the perfect love.
Gifts were made and wishes done,
Health was restored and good luck would come
The Secret
Garden
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Legend fables
tells a tale in reach of a grasping hand
I have
searched upon the hillside through out the magic land
I've never seen
it's secrets although I know that they exist
But I have
heard the flap of angels wings beating in the mist
The giggling
sound of lovers as they roll upon the ground
I tell you I
can hear them, did you hear that laughing sound?
The familiar
sound of tonal changes echo in my ear
The sound of
someone special that I hold so very dear
Is this
fantasies perception or is this very real
Is it my
imagination or the feelings that I feel
There I heard
that voice again carried on that dove
Enchanting me
for real this time filling my heart with love
*********
Alwyn
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The Light of Prayer
It
was the day he lost his wife. The
days where long, the nights where short. He
felt as if he could not go on. He
prayed to the Gods every night to spare her life. He
thought it himself she shouldn’t die so young, its not right. The
night came she could breathe no more. They
said their good byes through tears, He
watched as she took her last breath. How
could he loose the one he loved, the mother of his children to death? As
he slept a restless sleep on that eve, he felt a hole in his heart. When
he said forever to death do us part, he truly thought with all his soul
that he would be the first to go. He
saw a bright and wonderful light. It
woke him so sudden, could it just be a dream? Then
at the foot of his bed was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. There
she stood all dressed in white. He
could see her thought the darkness as if it where daylight. His
beloved comes to kiss him good night. She
told him he was strong and she knew because of his great love for her,
he would do all right. You
need to be strong for the children; they need you more now then ever
before. He
begged her to stay but with a blink of an eye she was there no more. Everyone
told him it was nothing more than a dream. But
he knew it was true, she had been at the foot of his bed. For
there on the floor where she had stood he found an old Valentine card
from her that said: Life
brings us down a different path each day. Some
we cannot walk together. Even
though at times we are apart, I follow the same path with you in my soul
and with my heart. The
Great light will be guiding us each and every step of the way. Showing
us the path that we once again will walk together each and everyday. With
love, Your
beloved Wife. |
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I just
found this poem on a CD of my moms.. Its the only poem she has that I
have found so far.. She didn't write it but was really strange reading
it.. Gave me chills..
May
all you journeys be Blessed
When
I come to the end of the road
and the sun has set for me I want no nights in a gloom-filled room, why cry for a Soul set free? Miss me a little but not to long, And not with your head bowed low, Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me...but let me go. For this is a journey that we all must take, and each must go alone, it's all a part of the Master's plan a step on the road to home. Go to the friends we know.... Miss me but let me go. (Author unknown) |
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Losing
someone is hard.. when it is your job to save a life, and that life is a
friend, it is harder... ( I was a licensed EMT for 8 years) this is one
of those cases... I wrote this poem shortly after his passing, and
to this day, I still feel the pain of the loss of a friend.... the poem
is not my usual style, but was a bunch of feelings I wrote down and made
into a poem. Hope you like it. Shannendel (aka Linda)
Loss of Friend:
There
was so much talent in you, And
yet you just smiled I
loved singing with you, and hearing you sing. Then
tragically your life was taken, Now
you sing with the angels.. You
were so young, and your family Loved
you so much.. Your
friends and family will never forget you, But
we all know that you watch over us with Love
and protection.. I
feel you at times, and know that you Are
still close to my heart, and always will be. I
remember your laughter, your smile, The
way you told jokes, and so much more.. But
most of all, I remember your heart, And
the kindness and love it always showed others.. May
you find the same love and kindness Up
in heaven, from our Lord.. I'll
always miss you My
dear sweet friend.. Linda 1991 Dedicated
to Bruce * A friend, a confidant, and someone so special * Always.. |
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Fly Away
Fly away like a breath that waited so long to be released. Fly away to your place of never ending peace. Reach for what you couldn’t reach in this life. Reach for the heart that is yours inside. Reach for the love that you will now find. Peace keeps your soul for all time. Peace helped to free the pain you had in your mind. Fly away like an Eagle to the gates to your soul. Fly away now you’re free. Wendy Needham 9-2-00 For Kelly Belka |
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Hollowing cries, Riding on iridescent raven's wings, Moaning like the wind, Through skeleton trees, My sorrow haunts me, Asking to be let free, On the caphonus caws, Of black wings gathering, I sob as the wind moans, Breaking the emptiness inside, Reaching out to you, Within the veils, Echoing calls in the gateway, Against smokey barriers, Cat mews come to me, Purring sounds come to my ears, Welcoming comfort, Of the journey here, Through the haunt, I feel soft fur, Caressing my hand, Round moon eyes looking back, I knew you had to go, But wish I there was more time, In this season when the crone lives, Life seems to be pruned, With chilly touches reminding, Of that sense of fatality, And though I see her faces, I still cry my tears, Visit you through the veil, Of the falling leaves, Now with the bright orbs, Leading my way, The sidewalk is covered, With strewn summer dead, In the colors that shade me, In deep oranges and reds, I feel my sorrow come calling, Upon the raven's wings, And now I ask for life, Even as you have gone, It somehow seems not right, And little soul hollowing, You are bright to me, In the eyes of the mother, I have fostered love, For animal kinship, The wind is calling, To let you slip away, Back into the night, Your little black body, Walks into the Samhain mists, Shadowed in cool night, Before the winter covers, The earth that will let slumber. Love to Howler, my your journey be blessed into the arms of the Goddess. Samhain 2002
When I looked into those round little moon eyes, I knew happiness staring back at me, When I curled your little body into my arms, I knew warmth embracing me, When I listened to your purr, I knew contentment filling me, When I heard your little voice mewing howl, I heard the love in your voice talking to me, When I laid you to rest, I let the Goddess love you as much as you loved me, And when I prayed for your soul journey, I knew you would always walk beside me, When I let you go to be free, I felt my shadow cat following me. Love you little Howler, may the spirit of Samhain guide you. Autumn |
Hello little black
cat, stalking the Miss you little
witchy cat,
Bassett May 10, 2001 Oh supreme one, Your fatal beauty attracts me like the desert whirlwinds, The lotus blossoms are like tears in your eyes, Crescent moon fertile in your belly, Black cat of luxury, The sun warming lioness of the great plains. Oh beautiful daughter of the sun, The rays follow you in the dark tombs, Your rod full of the magic of the pharos liturgy, The sliver of yellow moon captured in your gaze, Taking on the blood of all our misdeeds, Careful with the cobra your stealth amazes us all, Taking the plague of rodents out from under our civilizations, Stalking the warm night with ears so keen, Your purr is but a thrum on the heart of accord, Granting me solace from the harsh daylight, So I keep your children close to me, For they are watchers of my soul, As your spirit flows in eternal life, Your beautiful creations slip in all around us, Taking residence near our altars, And casting the gaze of the goddess onto our worship. Iris
blossoms soon to grow where your daughter is buried, Spider eater
Samhain
Little Ones So much loss my little ones, Life sweeping you into my life and taking it swiftly away, For you the years have been long in my memory, Photos retrieve you from forgetfulness, But I feel you here in my room, Your last breath I prayed to the Goddess to take, Let the pain be gone and for her arms to cradle, Too hard to watch you shiver and shake, Life dwindling from your eyes as they cloud over, I see in those eyes a mirror of a world that is not mine, Yet I crawl ever closer in my own mind to the shadows you press upon, And I feel at night your weight that was so small upon my limbs and blankets, I know your love for me because we have never let go of that, A familiar feeling overwhelms me to tears when you are near, For I am happy you were able to cross and find your way back from time to time, Just to give me comfort from the Spirit realms. Patch we all love you so- Thanksgiving 2002. (There have been many animals in my life, all whom I deeply care for and have felt walk with me in spirit and heart. Some were wild and some and domestic kin, it doesn't really matter which- only that I was able to be touched by their life and energy to influence my own loving and compassion. Pets have a way of showing you unconditional love- for which we all need time to time, and they deserve our love loyalty and respect in return for their many gifts.) Autumn
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![]() I
remember after it happened how much I dreaded my intuition, Oct 15, 2002 |
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Ode to a
funny man,
I see the light sparkle off your eyes in childhood laughter, Great uncle ever close as grandfathers, Giving to all and sharing in your age the wisdom of youth Jey bird you give me faith in my family, To you I was Winter's Fun, to me I was Autumn's Joy, The slight play you offer a family torn a needle and thread, And I look to you in distance of a yearly gathering and great heartstrings are pulled. I will miss you, as I have grown to maturity and you have fallen to the earth.
Grandmother's brother, You watched after a family in hardship, But you let your heart grow, The family pulled together by your embrace, And laughter played in your thoughts, I have drifted away, But remember all that you were and are, I give my heart to you as you lie down to greet the great mother, Let soul fly as high as the stars, For you have loved and given true, A man of youth and wisdom, Like salmon you inspire this simple child as you leap, The snipe hunt is over and you are now able to shed the pain, Sleep and be merry, Yule tide cheer be yours alone, From your dear Winter's Fun ~ all my love.
I loved you Uncle Jack, and may |
Hearts Unite- In Memory of Jane Jeys
By Autumn J. Laird January 10, 2002
Heart
enough for the both of us, Ten
long years I laughed, With
only but half a heart, It
was big enough to share, When
joy resided there, And
when I left this plane- I
continued on with my love, Embracing
you with warmth, Never
fading or growing old, Carrying
on for the both of us. Now
you have come to the light, But
two years later, With
your cheerful spirit, Completing
the circle of love, United
again past all pain, Dancing
with unhindered grace, Watching
over the children, The
family has certainly grown. Yet
when your brightness fled, We
let tears fall in sorrow, Understanding
you are with him, And
now it doesn’t matter, The
hospitals are behind you, In
the letters you live on. I
am sure you listen to our chatter, Talking
away in our ears, And
from behind I hear laughter again, Twinkling
with joyous abandon, Half
a heart made whole, It
is enough when you share, And
there is love for all there, Jack
and Jane forever…. My
candles burn on- For
the light you have shared- Glows
warm in each memories embrace, Healing
heart and soul, Remembered
now and forever- Together.
In
Memory of Jane Jeys- Passed
January 2003 Be
now and forever with Jack, Passed
December 2000 In death united. |
A woman of hardship Censored from her God For the love he taught Thrown to her child of innocent Scarlet love cast away survivor To finally claim your child and your life Price too high for such endearments But yet the choice remained constant You would find your sacraments Given by the man of your unyielding love In his life and in his death The scandal never subsided Even cancerous pain could not conceal The woman of giving She was excepted like her orphan son To those nearest to her Children of great nieces and nephews Ever finding her touching notes of encouragement We who knew so little never cared But for one thing ~ the love that she spread Like the hand of a grandmother. For my Aunt Loretta Autumn Laird Jan 14, 2001 |
Please send submissions/posts for the garden in The Celtic Bards Yahoo Group with the header "Garden Entry." Also if you wish to include a small photo that will be fine.
Please feel blessed and walk the path of light as we remember and honor those who have been dear to us through struggles and strife, through joy and laughter. Our hearts are always inspired by life, here in the garden of reflection.