BELTANE

'Pon the day of fire, Summer begins,

hedges glisten, the hawthorn flow'rs; 

the Pleiades 'pon dawn's shoulders glister,

ere Beltane's Sun his first gold show'rs.

From Winter's rest into fervour released,

o'er growth and greening he presides;

primrose, marigolds, his radiance evoke,

tend'rest shoots to leafing he guides.

Earth rejoices, as the days longer grow,

Nature his rousing call must heed,

the arduous path to fruition tread,

breath enkindle in ev'ry seed.

Cattle and pastures the Great Fire shall bless,

young crops from frost and blight preserve;

form and spirit shall his warmth pure render,

triumph of Light shall we observe.

'Round bonfires we dance, in song revel,

our cattle betwixt flames we drive;

blazing brands to kitchens and hearths we tote,

for Springtide's blazes to revive.

This eve, the Maiden the Horned God shall wed,

'pon forest verdure shall they pair;

in their sacred union shall all rejoice,

Samhain's bounty her womb shall bear.

© 2015 Lily's Verse

Lilium Candidum

Image: QUEEN GUINEVERE'S MAYING

Artist: John Collier

Source: commons.wikimedia.org