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

What hides behind all the words we read
past broken hearts that still can bleed
fear and grief I can barely concieve
that you continue I hardly believe
some people who suffer are so full of light
it gives them the power to love and to fight
all the world's women bear so much of its pain
they do most of it's healing again and again
so glad to be here at this place and this time
drawn here to write and to listen to rhyme
blessed by the presence of you who live here
with your life and your poems that move me to tears
glad that you have the wee folk to watch over you
I'll send you an Angel so she can watch too

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

Need to see the Hare once more
tell it how my heart is sore
need to see him running free
taking cares away from me
his dreams run with mine far away
take me through another day
wisdom in that ancient glance
speeding freedom life and chance
look through me knowing eyes
only truth you know no lies
the time for hares to dance is here
the joy of spring is coming near
you carry the sun and share it's light
bring hope for the springtime
into winter's sight

Thrown down from the castle
built inside your dreams
hiding in the forest wild
no way back for you it seems
but in the depths I see a glow
it will reach out to where you lie
only those who care will know
only they will help you  try
feel the power of night skies
start to fly and break your ties

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

One hundred ways to happiness
a thousand songs to light
different words and rhythyms
you found the one that's right
love and joy and caring
open to the world
secretly or sharing
wings closed or unfurled
try to touch the different
or learn to give them space
of this world or heaven sent
you help us find our place