The A-303 to the Countess Roundabout was
\nSnarled up bad
\nAn extra 45 minutes
\nOn our journey somewhat sad
\nThe Summer Solstice sunshine
\nWas burning down upon
\nA crawling desperation
\nThat just went on and on<\/p>\n
Frustration built on those of us
\nHopeful of our place
\nAt Stone Henge hearts a flutter
\nWhich for us was quite the case
\nEventually we got there
\nAbout one half hour late
\nAnd found our party situated
\nAt car Park Number eight<\/p>\n
To see them set our hearts a racing
\nWe had got there any way
\nHalf expecting to picnic somewhere else
\nPerhaps today
\nVeronica looked resplendent in her robes
\nOf creamy white
\nA beaming smile of welcome
\nWe knew we were al’right!<\/p>\n
We Got our bits together
\nAnd walked together to
\nThe visitor centre
\nBathing in the sunshine
\nThere in view<\/p>\n
A motley group of Druids
\nAnd others sprang to eye
\nRobed and staffed
\nWith pentagram’s and
\nMany on a high
\nAll fetching in our varied garb
\nColourful and free
\nTourists they were everywhere
\nTaking pictures,and we<\/p>\n
chiefly became their target
\nI suppose we did appear
\nSomewhat off the wall a bit
\nBursting with such cheer
\nOut onto the buses English heritage had
\nlaid on
\nThe sky was full on blueness
\nAnd the sun just shone and shone<\/p>\n
Walking through the tourists
\nTo The inner sanctum we
\nPaced around it once or twice
\nTo the drum beat and could see
\nAnd feel the sense of occasion
\nAnd formed our circle there
\nIn the shadow of the giants
\nAnd With the ancestors did share<\/p>\n
The magnificent grey sarsens
\nLooking all about
\nJust as we were settling
\nA crowd of crows did out
\nFlying over the west portal
\nAn eerie kind of cloud
\nSeemingly an omen
\nApparently their shroud<\/p>\n
Circling and wayward
\nAs we settled for to be
\nEnjoying the days ritual
\nTogether happily
\nA hundred or so of us
\nThreaded in a kind of ring
\nHolding hands and making way
\nFor Olly the Holly King<\/p>\n
And the Jolly Oak King with his verdant crown
\nOf oak leaves stalwart in their stance
\nA fight ensued between them
\nEach one took the chance
\nTo batter with their stout sticks
\nThe other till we knew
\nThe Holly King was the victor
\nFor the great Oak King he slew<\/p>\n
The man of oak was carried out
\nAnd placed upon the ground
\nLovely dancers robes a sway
\nThey danced around and around
\nAngels in the making
\nSwishing skirts did fly
\nFull on happy faces
\nWith each twinkle of their eye<\/p>\n
Olly looked a picture with his crown
\nOf Holly green
\nHaving beaten off the Oak King
\nand enjoyed the dancing scene
\nA proud moment they had battled
\nLong and hard but he
\nClearly was the victor
\nFor all of us to see<\/p>\n
Then an initiation of Paul and Geoff
\nFor they
\nWere entering the order
\nOn this solstice day
\nIntegrity and moral strength
\nWere called for we did hear
\nKneeling one by one before
\nThe Arch Druid who was clear<\/p>\n
We walk humbly as Druids
\nOn this mortal plain
\nAnd both of them were
\nRegal in their newly found refrain
\nThe ritual was impressive
\nWith a kindly honesty
\nThese gentlemen of virtue
\nWere each moved earnestly<\/p>\n
Mythago were the story telling
\nDancers
\nAnd they told
\nThe story of the Green man
\nIn dance something to hold
\nOnto in our hearts I think
\nCavorting as they do
\nBashing sticks their energy
\nWas constant there all through
\nThe drummers and the Banjo
\nStirred our hearts a while
\nBells and boots and ribboned suits
\nThese people do have style<\/p>\n
A medieval collage
\nOf colours their masquerade
\nEntertaining and diverting
\nEach did just parade
\nTheir skills and their sweet mastery
\nOf fancy dress and dance
\nA gala of festivity
\nWorthy of our glance<\/p>\n
Then a fine hand fasting
\nAnd Veronica once more
\nPerformed the lovely ceremony
\nA nuptial bond the core
\nValues of significance
\nHand fasted spliced in harness
\nWho could want for more<\/p>\n
You could feel the flowing favour
\nThe affection that was there
\nAnd Veronica created
\nA bubble we could share
\nA tenderness and fondness
\nCupids sting and they
\nEnjoyed the moment avidly
\nBathed in the suns ray<\/p>\n
Offerings of Amber mead
\nAnd apricots and cake
\nAlways goes down well with us
\nSustenance can shake
\nThe tiredness and the flagging
\nOut of souls it has been said
\nThere is nothing worse than followers
\nFeeling they are half dead<\/p>\n
The speaking stick was passed around
\nAnd every member there
\nGave an insight into who they were
\nAnd with us all did share
\nSome a poem some a song
\nA salad one might say
\nSome astrology from sweet Claudia
\nAnd some odes along the way<\/p>\n
And all the while the abundance of sun
\nAnd so much glee
\nOf a moving ritual and friendship
\nAnd camaraderie
\nYou could feel the warmth of spirit
\nThe ancestors could hear
\nThe justice of the moment
\nSo cordial and clear<\/p>\n
Two hours rushed passed so rapidly
\nThe ritual over, we
\nTook some photo’s and dreamed a while
\nFor this was memory
\nCommitted to our inner self
\nFor those of us who saw
\nThe rituals at stone Henge
\nAre With us for evermore<\/p>\n
Walking through the portal
\nAnd, back down now to where
\nThe buses they were waiting
\nThe drummers then did share
\nTheir heart beats and their drum beats
\nThat energised our legs
\nGot the adrenaline pumping
\nAnd truthfully it begs<\/p>\n
The question what is ritual
\nA day to understand
\nThe coming of the moment
\nA movement through the land
\nPerspiring in the sunshine
\nStirred up and raring to go
\nThe emotion and the action
\nEvery bit of it on show<\/p>\n
Down into the the reception centre
\nWhere coaches by the tonne
\nAre rolling in with Far Eastern people
\nEnjoying the sun
\ntourists really everywhere
\nSunglasses and oil
\nand a big shop full of souvenirs
\nOf other people’s toil<\/p>\n
Some drink and sit to chat a while
\nTo joke to laugh to cry
\nTo spread all the emotions
\nTo people passing by
\nStone henge is so impressive
\nAnd holds the ancestors gaze
\nBeing in the inner sanctum
\nStays with us all our days<\/p>\n
I must compliment our arch druid
\nA women who stands tall
\nWho purposefully is always there
\nTo guide and lead Us all
\nA women of such substance
\nEven the bearded white blokes tend
\nTo bow before her majesty
\nFor with her they can spend<\/p>\n
an enlightened forceful period
\nOf ritual and of joy
\nThis women was the founder
\nAnd she does employ
\nA wealth of solid stature
\nAnd shines within her light
\nA counsellor and a mentor
\nWhose is capable and bright<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The A-303 to the Countess Roundabout was Snarled up bad An extra 45 minutes On our journey somewhat sad The Summer Solstice sunshine Was burning down upon A crawling desperation That just went on and on Frustration built on those … Continue reading