by Aonghus

The nimble spiderleg-like finger
traced an almond eye
and burnt the blood soaked offering
to our father sky

then dug the hole
to stand the pole
to dance in circles round
then slit the throat
of first born goat
and tricked’ its blood upon the ground

and hung a head
of hero dead
upon a stately henge
washed clean of soil
preserved in oil
to stay the spirit’s revenge

by moonlight’s glow
clipped mistletoe
with a golden blade
and caught in cloak
the leach of oak
within the sacred glade

at Imbolc
by crow of cock
rise with lengthening day
and work the spell
by holy well
to blow winter winds away

and on Bealtaine
twixt twin fires flame
drove the cattle through
and sang the praise
of ancient days
and of our mother Danu

at Lughnasad
with hazel rod
held in ready hand
blesses corn
on summer morn
that rises from the land

On Samhain Eve
when the weave
of Neatherworld is rent
speak the charm
to keep from harm
the folk from foul intent