The Wishing Tree (of Glastonbury Tor)
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By marandina
- 3453 reads
Audio version at https://soundcloud.com/user-62051685/the-wishing-tree-mp3
The Wishing Tree (of Glastonbury Tor)
Thoughts float like Cumulus clouds,
wandering amongst sapphire skies,
where a pale, pagan moon shines,
casting runes and ancient spells.
Offerings made to Celtic Gods,
ribbons on branches - prayers,
quiet homilies to silent souls,
lost reverence of roots and bark.
Noiseless advocates watch and wish,
witnesses to age-old, primeval sorcery,
eyes closed, litany to neoteric stoics,
bound by romance - Dark Age ghosts.
In my latent mind’s eye I see
recent Dead still dear to me
and dream, reach and tear
mighty swords from mystical stones.
Remembering long-ago times,
Druids and haunted legends,
Avalon mist cloaking green fields
when magic roamed the land.
Footnote:
The Wishing Tree is at the bottom of the hill walk at Glastonbury Tor. It is much loved and has ribbons hanging from many of its branches representing pagan prayers. Of course, anyone can leave an offering at this most sacred of trees.
Image is my own https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2054199364622669&set=a.205253644145...
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Comments
I liked 'thoughts float like
I liked 'thoughts float like Cumulus clouds, wandering amongst sapphire skies'
and that is how thoughts move around searchingly if no direction,
so I find the whole scene pictured so sad, memorials, but no sign of where hope really lies, though the moon doea bear witness – not to pagan non-deities, but to the only God, who made it and is.
Bereavement and longings are real, but reach to reality not magic! Rhiannon
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I think we've all got a
I think we've all got a wishing tree. But it might not be a tree.
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Hi Paul,
Hi Paul,
this is a fine tribute to the Wishing tree, you have so many beautiful descriptions that I connected with when I went there. We have a similar tree at Avebury, it's up on one of the ridges, and Druids also hang offerings of ribbons. The last time I was at Avebury, someone had put a candle in an inlet of one of the giant stones, with either a spell or gift wrapped and bound in old bark.
I loved reading your poem with its gentle offering up of approval to the magic of the wonderful tree.
Blessings Paul.
Jenny.
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This is a poem with magic at
This is a poem with magic at every corner. I always felt that the legends surrounding Druids were intrinsically fascinating to me, and this just completely brought it out! Really wonderful poem.
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You've really captured the
You've really captured the atmosphere of the Tor so well. It's many years since I've been, but this vividly brought it all back. I get the same feelings around standing stones - I was interested to read Jenny's comment about Avebury, which has a very magical feel about it. Lovely piece of writing, Paul, and, as ever, I much enjoyed the audio.
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This is great stuff Paul.
This is great stuff Paul.
Your words really conjure up the mysticism of Glastonbury.
I particularly liked ...
witnesses to age-old, primeval sorcery,
eyes closed, litany to neoteric stoics,
bound by romance - Dark Age ghosts.
which is a great way to describe the trees round and about the Tor but, from my experience of living near there, could also apply to many members of the human population of Somerset.
I really enjoyed this as it took me flying back to the West Country,
Good on you!
Turlough
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Absolutely beautiful and
Absolutely beautiful and another thing to add to my list of places to visit. I must try to find a wishing tree near here ..
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Great poem, Paul. It sounds
Great poem, Paul. It sounds like an interesting place to visit. I really dig the mystery and magic that was represented in your words very well. Congrats on the cherries.
GGHades502
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