At the Holy Well
Hill of Tara, 2 May 2023
at the holy well
I brushed my fingers
across soft
stinging hairs of nettle
in my eagerness to meet
cows who gathered there
this well shared on
either side of a wooden fence
blessing cattle
blessing us
what a rare still
joyous moment
to reach inside the
stoney spring mouth
ferns blossoming from shadowed rock
petals scattered on the pool
for Bealtaine
to cup the cool water
in my palm
to pour in yours
these few small drops
of divine compassion
to anoint myself
forehead throat belly
to move through hill and pathway
in this silent place
Image: Cattle drinking from a small stone trough above a stream. Second photo shows the holy well connected to this trough.