Beltane

They bridged the hill under canopied gold,
two braziers burning against the haze;
the cattle lowed, their dew coats like rolled
autumn dusk, saluting rite by untroubled gaze.

Between those flames the people led
hooves and heart through heat and song;
as burning embers etched in red,
those words that ensured the herd made strong.   

They ran the gauntlet of hungry fire,
their bodies cleansed by ritual and dare;
as burning sparks became the ratifier
and promise permeated the morning air.

The incense of embers lay blessings upon
those beasts of burden and hope; that dwell
on safe pasture growing to fertile throng
for ever the guardians of nature's spell.

When night sky rested upon the hill,
contented cattle were lulled into slumber
as Beltane's flames had tempered the will,
ensuring rich growth in size and number.

Image by Freepik