I was reading about the Celts
Fathers of Europe, sons of the rock,
King Arthur and Welsh resistence.

Before there were nations
before there were councils and delegations
before there were Senates and crucifixions

Bands of warrior Celts roaming around Europe
fighting the Greeks and the Romans
fighting the Germans, fighting each other!

They were Druids and woodsmen
cattle barons and fishermen
blacksmiths and engineers

but they weren't united - no turtle defence
like the legions
Ah! God's tears

They became learned and religious
The Book of Kells
The Lindisfarne Gospels

The music and legends
Brian Boru and Robert the Bruce
Jesus of Nazareth

Harpers, fiddlers and pipers
jigs and reels
laments and dirges

A worldwide Celtic diaspora
celebrating freedom
and independence

Kerry lanes
with the fuchsia blooming
the flowering rowan on the high mountain

My Celtic twilight traumas
are receding, and I'm rather fond
of Italy, you know!