The Rollrights Stones with the Cotswold Order of Druids

The poppies danced a Summer Solstice ballet
mesmerising Chipping Norton, they
the crimson of their petals in the greyness of the morning
on what turned out to be a dull old day
rain was threatened almost every moment
and so the Summer Solstice came to be
and who turned up with cameras and microphones
the charming folk all the way from Dutch TV

clearly none of them had seen such rituals
two of them joined in and we could see
they both enjoyed the experience and said so
it makes you kind of emotional you see

Peace wished for the regions
and the portals opened wide
we all held hands just strangers
it cannot be denied
our myriad thoughts a plenty
of who knows somewhere new
just forming a connection
that percolates on through

a blessing to the food and drink
an offering to all
respectful of the ancestors
that by now were on call
we each partook of apricots
and felt the heat of mead
that warmed the tongue
and tasted sweet and took its chance to lead

us far away from mundaneness
into a world now where
strangers came together
and their feelings they did share
a poem from the bard about the solstice
then took hold
and then of course the speaking stick
where people shy or bold
took up their own sweet mantle
and introduced or told
a story or a poem
charting their ounce of gold

the circle is a medium
its a passionate display
its anything to everyone
who cares to walk this way
to undergo the spirit change
with an impact that can be
exhilarating sometimes
bordering on the free

the stones historic beauty
their kingliness their strength
they face the might of all the seasons
through the entire length
they circle whilst providing the ultimate degree
of wonder torn a’sunder and delightful mystery

the quarters closed the HO HO HO
the heavens even they
could hear the flight of all our breaths
that gushed from us today
we were as one with strangers
druid orders who
came to join our circle
as many folk now do

the Cotswold Order dedicates the time
that all can share
it really is auspicious
just stand and be aware
be part of something wonderful
a simple band of souls
whose involvement and emotion
brings its special goals

the ritual was over
we all filed out and we
could feel the rain a spattering
it had held off fortunately
the sad deterioration
of the weather that we see
it really makes us feel forlorn
why now that it be

in need of improvement
for light we really need
the illuminant must come to bear
for some now to succeed
its intensity and brilliance
brings its share of power
sucks us into whiteness
and holds us on the hour

drifting off the shadows
as we move away
go back to our chosen lives
at the end of each day
I guess each coming together
unlocks its own reform
creates in us true starlight
and we just all warm

to the softness to the sweet repose
for these ancient stones they be
laced with every kind of thought
and so much energy
here we can just float away
on what is clear bright light
the summer solstice over
the stillness of the night
comes gently to our mindfulness
behold the circle where
today we all held hands and dreamed
and proved to all we care