“Dawn
at Bridget’s Well” by Patricia Monaghan
In
hope, in pain, in song we passed the night.
We
have kept watch – kept faith – each in our way.
Our
long dark vigil ends in spring’s mild light.
We
ended winter with this ancient rite.
Strangers
until we joined our hands to pray.
In
hope, in pain, in song we passed the night.
Beside
the guttering candles, a single white
Snowdrop
nods to greet St. Bridget’s Day.
A
long dark vigil ends in spring’s mild light.
So
much is wrong, across the world: we fight
Each
other, blight the land, betray
Our
hopes. In plaintive song we passed the night.
Yet
we believe and pray, acolytes
In
service to a change too long delayed.
Our
long dark vigil ends in spring’s mild light.
And
we rise, renewed. Such ritual ignites
The
fire in our souls. It’s a new day.
In
hope, in pain, in song we passed the night.
The
long dark vigil ends in spring’s mild light.
First published in Brigit: Sun of Womanhood, ed. Patricia
Monaghan and Michael McDermott (2013). Permission by Michael McDermott.