The Tribe in Circle
Passed the Horn
And drank to deeds of victory
The Drum’s voice spoke
It called to dance
And there the Door was opened
She heard the call
To come away
To seek within the forest
She wandered through
The fields until
She came to singing waters
The bridge she crossed
Into the Mists
And there the Veil was parted
The night-wise spirit
Of the Bat
Led deep within the forest
A cave of stone
Deep in the Earth
Where flowed a stream of water
And gathered ‘round
In whispering breeze
There stood the trees at vigil
Into the realms
Of ancient Sidhe
The Faerie Grove she entered
The faerie wood
Alight with sparks
And stars above like jewels
As she lay there
Upon the grass
She met a fellow wanderer
A handsome man
Eyes haunting dark
The night wind for a mantle
He took her hand
And kissed her lips
And spoke to her of secrets
He said to her
To look inside
To seek within the mirror
“To find your honour
Look within
For none can take it from you.”
He looked within
Past mortal masks
And told her of her spirit
His dew-sweet words
Spake like a Bard
And naught could hide her from him
Longtime they lingered
In the Grove
Beside the night-bat’s haven
He told her things
That she would tell
And secrets never spoken
Then as the night
Drew toward the dawn
He said they must be parting
She knew the tales
Of wandering folk
And asked a wondering question
“Return we in
A hundred years?
Or will it be tomorrow?”
“Follow that road
Around the bend
And it will lead you homeward.”
“By Fire and Water
Earth and Sky”
He called on them to witness
The bond they share
Swore on this blade
The chosen kin of friendship
She turned away
And he was gone
Into the Mists and Shadows
And she must follow
On toward
The hearthfire of her homestead
And stepping forth
From faerie Mists
Where in Between she’d traveled
She found alone
Her soft, warm bed
And laid upon her pillow
Before she sank
To restful dreams
She heard above an Owl
“Winged Watcher
Guard my sleep
And bless my eyes with visions
Good gentle lord
I won’t forget
This night of whispered darkness”
Then to the New Moon
Blew a kiss
And drifted off to slumber
(c)2003, Ember Dumas