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| From the Ormesby Psalter |
The Falcon
so temperate
this faithful falcon
perched on your round and holy
tower
chastely rebuffed all amorous advances
till the proper season when
in accordance with its nature
it made its way
to the mountains of Glendalough
far from the eyes and longings
of celibate monks and nuns
the falcon raised its family and
returned
mate forsaken
to your tower once again
there it throve for centuries
venerated by townspeople
preying on perching bird and
dabbling duck
loyal to you in some strange kind
long after you preceded it
from this earth
Based on the story of Brigit’s falcon told by the 12th century writer, Geraldus Cambrensis.
copyright Casey June Wolf (2011).