“Two Sonnets of Two Celtic Myths”

(that picture of Cu Chulainn will scare the Jesus out of you…)

—

Who doesn’t like sonnets and mythology?  Many don’t.  Celtic Mythology isn’t easy to comprehend but enriching when an attempt is made. I struggled with sonnet form, but interestingly enough, it seems to change the ‘voice’ of the writer, as least it did for me.  Perhaps that’s a good thing.

Lady Nyo

PS:  Bricru the Poison Tongue….I know several. Mostly family.

–

WHEN CU CHULAINN COURTS EMER

“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!

 

IMMORTAL MARRIAGE

When Lug dragged his cock upon the earth deep
And threw up mountains and hillocks in haste
Fair Aine came behind him with sweet seeds reap’d
And fertile was the land, no virgins chaste
Followed the reapers and saw the crows fly
Up in the air with black wings flapping sound
She watered the plantings with moisture, sighed
For Lug had others of mistresses round

Fair Aine pined in sorrow, her heart laid bare
All other women Lug held with his charm
When she walked afield, the men did dare
To raise their eyes and hearts without alarm.

The children she bore now, peppered the earth,
And Lug still dragged his cock, taunting with mirth!

Jane Kohut-Bartels
Copyrighted, 2016