Olwen grew after mid-winter's passing
the wind had sung her a child's name
she knew her time was now come
the man she picked was strong and wise
and she had seen his death was anigh
the great gift she would give him
a girl child she would carry, birth and teach
her first word would be the name of him
who was to fall in the cattle raid to Seisysllwg
no man to own her or claim her

Olwen mothered
a world of dreams
a world of knowing
she knew the seasons
and the schemes
of life growing
hares and foxes
would sleeep at her feet
enemies before her
would not fight but retreat

Olwen's way was of care and of love
her power of the earth and skies above
no denizens of dark and deepest hate
would stand her eyes that saw their fate

fast eye
clear sky
brown flash
passes by
beast or bird
we cannot see
good  Olwen
watching over thee

The child came in the autumn months
gold- clad meadows bear the last of mother's bounty
as she came into the world scythes cut the last bushel
weak with the birth she carried the child
to the stone on  plynlimon's east side
"let the source of the five feel the spirit of this child
carry her through her life with power and love..."

When Cariad was five she took her to the great marsh south of the Dyfi
and watched as the child threw her father's sword back to his spirit
further than any man could throw

ask not for power
for your arm
ask for strength
in your heart

ask not for dominion
over men
seek love
for the world

ask not for thyself
anything you
would not give
away freely

no shadows came to dwell in the hills and vales
where peace eternal dwelt with power of hearts
Olwen  slept after one mid-winter's passing
She died when the spirits asked for her
Cariad bore her to the Plynlimon stone
where all wise women's bones will lie

The rivers remember her eyes
The trees remember her wisdom
The birds remember her song
The stars remember Her dreams

The Stones of Deheubarth
remember their Wise-Woman
when Moon and  Sun rise
and the shadows flee

One arm for me to lean on
giving strength for when I weaken
one hand that holds me fast
when I'm feeling broken
one finger prowing to my soul
like a whole book spoken
for all the love and kindness
these lines are my wee token

I thought of  you out
in the cold woods tonight
the clouds hid us all from
the silver moonlight
we saw the white flowers
and we felt the sweet air
met with nights powers
with a feeling so fair
did you think as you stood
in the silver and grey
we were standing beside you
an ocean away

Do you still sit and sing for me down by the shore
the birds cried you sang to me just like before
sitting the two of us watching the stars
hearing your voice as it healed all my scars
the birds cried you sang for a year and a day
counting the hours as the time slipped away
did you bring down the basket to carry my catch
your eyes and strong arms no one woman can match
I'm sailing through mist that won't lift or ease
drawn through the waters my love will not cease
won't you still sit and sing for me down by the shore
your voice calls my heart from the deep ocean floor
the birds cried you sang for a year and a day
the birds cried as you sang as I faded away

How many times did I come back to help
wipe the tears and guilt out of your eyes
I put you in a bath read kid's stories to you
washed the muck from between your thighs
I remember nursing your cat through the night
I saved your wee cat  but I couldn't save you

An Angel fell down and looked around
this new world of ours she just had found
enthralled by the vaults of evenings sky
nights hand touches heaven high
no ages lost  past times call out
she hears more where there is no shout
she sees why human hearts and eyes
do not all yearn for the heaven's skies
bones of the earth the sweet world's air
she come to see as whole and fair
sees love and wisdom shaped this land
as much as her own God so grand
began to see her time for change
was come and though it felt so strange
vision and love had now outgrown
the bonds of harsh religion flown
ahead lie worlds and dreams all new
a kinder world comes into view
and if ordered home by the King of Kings
she'd stand as a woman and shed her wings

Wine glass full of water now
last weeks was full of pills
sat and looked for hours at it
no place for happy thrills
poured wine in until it met
the high point of the pile
it melted into mess and gunge
that tasted ******* vile
didn't really do that much
hardly any power
didn't want to die or hurt
just sleep to numb an hour
all that **** is history
prescription ripped up in the bin
got a happy life for me
won't hurt my friends with that old sin
painful flashbacks ******'s ghosts
I overreact and always  frown
got to protect my friends the most
to remember the ones that I let down

How can I say how sad I feel
just got real fear no hope or zeal
so I let the moments pass away
think it would be better not to say
perhaps she might get a wee bit scared
if my nervous interest is declared
dread to lose the new pal that I found
so I won't make a single request or sound
won't chase or push or bother you
but wish you could know my heart is true

Drink out of my eyes like a humming bird from a bloom
rage against the skies fight to the end against your doom
blind the stars if their light wont guide your way
drag the sun into the night if you need to make it day
tear open the hollow hills to set your spirit free
when all is done your battles won then would you cleave to me

When I stand before wild waters
in the early morning sun
I imagine your reflection
and what we could become
if the wind beats hard against me
if I feel the thunder roar
I will not flinch nor turn away
my resolution all the more
no lies or fears no doubts of man
will live beneath your gaze
sweet power of life eternal
until the ending of our days

Curving along the edge of the moonlight
the hands that spans the ages
whisper no hurt or hate
only turn back that which is evil
and send it home to rest
the shadow that falls beneath the stars
can warm like the heat of day
bless with its silvered touch
heal like the rain in spring
walk out to the night alone
feel the coming of calm and peace
forgotten by most but felt by the blessed
flow through the veins and breathe deep
take the time to stand still and feel
the power the ancient ones keep

Beautiful mother of the world
you draw the shades of grey aside
you bring life and love and trust
in tomorrow's dreams
walk for a while beside me
through your woods and glades
show me where your deer walk
and the flowers sing
your deep quiet pools
where the Wee Folk sing
take the time to pause and see
the hurt in this green land
take the time to set us free
and heal us with your hand

Transcendant beauty of her soul
sailing through life a wonder in full sail
her children hold on to the glory of her
summer-flower dress and mother's hands
towing them to dreams and joy
no darkness can dwell in her light
love and smiles makes her  home heaven envy
spread your sails and fly in her following wind
she will carry all home just close your eyes and smile