Stone on the Belly: “Night of Sorrow” by Mael Brigde

Writing Brigit

Writing Brigit

Many years ago I wrote my first Brigit prayer. Poem. Blessing... I have been writing them ever since, but seldom publish them. Some are carefully researched and crafted, some are simple and straight from the heart. (Belated update: I did eventually publish a book called A Brigit of Ireland Devotional - Sun Among Stars. It contains many of my Brigit poems and prayers, essays, and resources.)

The prayers and blessings of my sisters in the Daughters of the Flame and other Brigit-loving women and men, living and long-dead, fill me with surprise and delight, as well.

I would like to share some of these writings with you.

Following is the one that signs off each of my emails, a reminder to guide my words and intentions with care when I write to anyone. It's as good a place to start as any.

Flame Offering

In the name of the three Brigits

I light the candle of my heart

May I offer it to everyone

gentle and steady

warm and bright

Songs of the Oystercatcher: Honouring Brihde through the Wheel of the Year by Heather Upfield

30 May 2017

“Night of Sorrow” by Mael Brigde

Night of Sorrow

you chose your penance

in an icy pool

wept and prayed all night

God could not bear

such self-reproach

dried the waters

forced you into warmth

then perhaps

Darlughdacha came to you

held your grieving head

Brendan your confessor

gently heard

Conlaeth and the virgins

gathered round your bed

till light returned

and

as it pinked the Curragh

as it gilt the rising oaks

you spied wren and crow

fox and finch

wolf and cow and crane

bearing silent witness

to their love

See: Ó Cathaín, Festival of Brigit, pg. 25, for the story referred to here.

Image: By Miguel Mendez from Malahide, Ireland (Malahide at Dawn (version 1)) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons CROPPED. For the full image click here.