"At the Holy Well” by Mael Brigde

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.