Ireland

Resharing this early poem, 'tis the season! Newly added reading at the bottom.

My heart belongs to Ireland, green isle across the sea--

oh Ireland, dear Ireland, why do you call to me?

Oh lovely land of ancient ruin and mystic Celtic lore,

of leprechauns, and fairies, and swans along the shore;

of northern causeways made of stone where giants once did roam,

of poets and of famous saints who called this island ‘home;'

of thund’ring waves against the cliffs, and wind upon the strand--

even non-believers must surely see God’s hand.

White sheep dot the patchwork fields along the winding road,

rainbows sail ’cross dampened skies and promise hidden gold.

‘Tis here the gift of eloquence is but a kiss away,

and there’s naught quite so lovely as sunset on Galway Bay.

But sure’n it’s the people so warm and filled with grace,

with lilting voice and open heart, that makes one love this place.

Oh Ireland, dear Ireland, green isle across the sea…

you took a piece of my heart, and now are part of me.

This poem comprises everything that I love about this country.

© Ginny Brannan 2010

Photos: Ginny Brannan - Above: lace stone walls near village of Cong, County Mayo, Ireland
Below: O'Brien's Tower, Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland, 2006

Selkie

Salt from the ocean clings to your skin;

enticing, inviting your lover within.

Lost in your softness, enrapt in your spell—

kindling fire no human can quell.

Impetuous creature elusive to keep;

erotic desire is only “skin deep.”

© Ginny Brannan 2014

Written for the Mag #206 Image provided by Tess Kincaid

A selkie is a mythological creature found in Celtic folklore. The word derives from earlier Scots selich, (from Old English seolh meaning seal). Selkies are said to live as seals in the sea but shed their skin to become human on land. If a man steals a female selkie's skin she is in his power. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selkie

Into the Mystique

Picasso: Faun, Horse and Bird, 1936

There’s magic to be found

for those with open minds,

mysteries abound

that go unseen by human eyes;

tales of old still told—

secrets passed from kin to kin,

that blatant non-believers

will attempt to criticize.

“Fairy Tales” they whisper, just

in case someone should hear

for if such creatures manifest

has never proven clear.

Dancing on the fringes

of our reality,

perhaps such creatures do exist…

perhaps they’re fantasy

 © Ginny Brannan 2013

Sharing at The Mag #160.  Image provided by Tess Kincaid. 

She provides the image, we the story!