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



Showing posts with label Death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Death. Show all posts

09 September 2021

"Keening" by Daniela Simina

 


Keening,

 

Her gift for posterity,

the undying gift of Bride the Banfile,

power of word endowing

the pain and agony

with immortality.

Inheritance she left for

those to come.

The inheritance of spirit

passed on beyond blood.

Spear struck Ruadan

and without his blood spilled

that deep and powerful voice,

Her voice,

would never had risen.

A mother's grief birthed lamentation,

sacred union of word and sound

wedded by pain to never part again.

Him, left dead, her left alive,

her left to live forever in the heart of each of us

knowingly or unknowingly,

each time someone is keening.

Her gift for posterity,

the undying gift of Bride the Banfile:

the visceral yell erupting from

the soul sliced open,

the soul of a mother

cradling her dead child,

and nevertheless

make that a gift,

a step into immortality.

 

 


 Image: Self Portrait of mother crying for son, by Claudia Wolff on Unsplash

 


05 January 2021

“Hungry” by Mael Brigde


Hungry

there is another side to you

goddess   saint   of our inspiration

your mouth that blew battle pipes

your earth that parted to swallow

the offered black-fringed fowl

smother her at the place

where three streams meet

 

we have ways to ken such things

dark forces of death   of letting go

smear of decay

from which new life unfurls

recognition of what our wills

cannot escape

or even

our own grim aspects taking root

 

regardless  

don’t think I haven’t seen

this bruise-blue visage   Brigit

these hungry teeth ready to snap in two

our pretty dreams of you

 


 

 


NoteThe sacrifice of a fowl was sometimes practised if a family believed they had not received Saint Brigit’s blessing on Óiche Fhéile Bhríde (Carmichael Carmina Gadelica I, pg. 169).

Image: "A honest look at the pain of mental illness." Photo by Kat J on Unsplash.

17 March 2020

“Prayer for the Dead” by Mael Brigde (Song) Up on SoundCloud




I've added a song (at last) to my SoundCloud page. It is one I wrote when a loved one died, and I wished Brigit to see him safely on his journey.

It's “Prayer for the Dead” and it has been more sorrow and joy to sing it at more than one farewell. If it would be of service to you in yours, please feel free to learn it and change it as need be. Please follow this link to find it on SoundCloud.

“Prayer for the Dead”
dear Brigit
I lay my loved one down
a last time

he is three days dead
we have wailed and wept
we have sung and laughed
we have given thanks
we have cried out in anger
we have given thanks

bless my loved one on his journey
let his coracle be light and leaping
on the waves
salmon his companions
and the great whales
to guide him to his home







Image: This photo was taken 200 Mn Atlantic Ocean , between Congo and Angola by Joserodriguesneves and is shared under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.



17 June 2019

"Brigit to the Grieving Mother" by Mael Brigde





Brigit to the Grieving Mother

my sister
you have tasted bitter herbs
she who you loved sleeps
dead upon your breast
as he who I loved
slept on mine
the whole world knows this torment
the whole world sorrows
with your woe

hold your daughter
till the knife’s edge blunts
bring her to me
her soft limp form
place gently in my hands

go to your people
rebuild your house
let the wounds upon you bleed
until they seal

I will hold her in her sleeping
I will take her to my hidden well
some day
this tiny soul
will live anew






Image: "Mother Weeping for Her Dead Child" by George Minne (1886).