“When Cu Chulainn Courts Emer

(devientart.com)

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I tried mightily, twisting and turning to form an Alouette but to no good.  So I am substituting this short Sonnet.  I am a terrible rhymer.

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“In that sweet country, I’ll rest my weapon”

Said Cu Chulainn to beauteous Emer

And a war spasm came upon him fast

With face distorting, hair stood upended

Teeth barred in anger, cock a rigid mast

His body whipped around, his knees unbended,

And sweet Emer prayed his luck would last.

–

Her father, King Lug, Celtic God of Light

Set her swain to tasks and toil unending,

While Bricru the Poison Tongue cries in fright:

“The Hound of Ulster, Irish unbending,

Leads in battle for comes he in his might!

And Emer waits with patient love the day

When Cu Chulainn comes near and claims his right!

 

—

Jane Kohut-Bartels

Copyrighted, 2016

(The sonnet above was produced for a book, “Devil’s Revenge”, with a detour into Celtic mythology.)