Recently, I had the pleasure of welcoming one of my five brothers to Bealtaine Cottage.
Felim had visited very briefly once before, some years back, but this visit was different…something here, on this sacred little piece of Ireland, connected with him.
The energy that thrives here and the sheer joy of the living Mother Nature around him, touched his soul.
Felim spoke little about his feelings at the time, but this week I received a poem he wrote, inspired by Bealtaine Cottage.
I have decided to share it with you, for it truly expresses an awakening deep in the heart of one who now “gets it!”
Here it is…
BEALTAINE COTTAGE
A bruised and battered Mother Earth,
Driven to despair by the dearth
Of man’s ignorance of her needs,
Has found a nursery for her seeds
In the soil of this marshy slope.
Here she flourishes in hope-
In this arboreous pottage
Known as Bealtaine Cottage.
Three acres of managed landscape
Has reversed the ruminant rape
Of her natural rotation,
Restoring her to propagation,
Awarding her the well-earned fame
Which we once granted to her name.
Now a nurturing Mother Earth
Displays the grandeur of her worth:
A forest of young varied trees
Offer feasting to hungry bees;
Small seeds imported from distant shores
Grow to saplings, their hopeful spores
Pollinated, sowing new birth
Within the womb of Mother Earth.
Their young branches shiver and shake
As birds alight, eager to make
Their own claim to the budding feast-
A bounty that will never cease.
At dawn each day, this feathered throng
Praise the earth with angel-song.
And what about the Water Sprite,
Her sluggish flow a sorry plight?
Her new dug channels’ sparkling flow
Take her to the ponds below,
To spread her silt and rest awhile
Then disappear beneath the stile.
The ponds replace a former bog
And now play host to speckled frog,
While safe beneath the pond-weeds’ root
Swims a little crested newt.
A passing heron stops for tea,
(The food here, after all, is free.)
And willows of all shapes abound
They thrive on such well-watered ground.
At Bealtaine there is a wealth
Of Mother Earth restored to health.
She shows her true vitality
All over this locality.
She integrates her plants and trees
With cuckoos, wrens and bumble bees;
While Water Sprite, once so random,
Now flows along with her in tandem:
And all because a loving hand
Was laid upon this stretch of land;
A hand with skill to recognise
That Mother Earth is strong and wise;
And if allowed, she will restore
Her bounty to our slopes once more.
“Bealtaine Cottage” by Felim O’Neill.
Composed on the evening of my return from two days at Bealtaine Cottage.
Such a sweet poem. Probably means so much more that your brother wrote it! I hope that in my gardening pursuits I can be a light to someone else as you have been to many!
On Wed, Mar 25, 2015 at 6:59 PM, Bealtaine Cottage wrote:
> Bealtaine Cottage posted: “Recently, I had the pleasure of welcoming > one of my five brothers to Bealtaine Cottage. Felim had visited very > briefly once before, some years back, but this visit was > different…something here, on this sacred little piece of Ireland, > connected with him”
I just love your way of life
I look forward to your post
You truly live a magical way of life.
Someday I would love to visit
The cottage and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
On Wed, Mar 25, 2015 at 1:59 PM, Bealtaine Cottage wrote:
> Bealtaine Cottage posted: “Recently, I had the pleasure of welcoming > one of my five brothers to Bealtaine Cottage. Felim had visited very > briefly once before, some years back, but this visit was > different…something here, on this sacred little piece of Ireland, > connected with him”
What true and beautiful words are these.
Enough to bring this selfish world to its knees.
Thank God for Bealtaine and her wisdom.
May others see the light and find the freedom.
Colette, what a lovely and heartfelt poem. It brought tears to my eyes. I think it must have been very special for you because it is from your brother and to see him “get it” must have been very moving for you. Truly lovely, these little moments that touch us. Blessings xxx
Reblogged this on Laura Bruno's Blog and commented:
A story of restoration … and love. Thank you to Colette and her brother Felim for sharing Bealtaine Cottage through this beautiful poem!
My heart is, and always has been in tune with the work you do Nicole…today I sob, my heart heaves and the tears run free, as your brother’s poem so beautifully sings the song of our Mother. Thank you both 🙂
Your brother has captured the essence of what you have done. Put to word it is exquisive.
Thank you for what you do. You are truly an inspiration to all. Please keep your fabulous work going.
Thank you and bless you
Johanna
Such a lovely poem. It brought joy to my day. What a loving brother you have.
A true “Song of Praise” to you and the earth x
Thanks XXX
Such a sweet poem. Probably means so much more that your brother wrote it! I hope that in my gardening pursuits I can be a light to someone else as you have been to many!
What I love most about Bealtaine is that it touches the hearts of so many people…that is the Great Mother at work! Blessings X Colette
Beautiful, thank you!
On Wed, Mar 25, 2015 at 6:59 PM, Bealtaine Cottage wrote:
> Bealtaine Cottage posted: “Recently, I had the pleasure of welcoming > one of my five brothers to Bealtaine Cottage. Felim had visited very > briefly once before, some years back, but this visit was > different…something here, on this sacred little piece of Ireland, > connected with him”
[…] Originally posted on Bealtaine Cottage: […]
I just love your way of life
I look forward to your post
You truly live a magical way of life.
Someday I would love to visit
The cottage and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
Blessings to you Rae…that’s a lovely comment X
Beautiful, brought a little tear to my eye x
Thanks X
Beautiful poem, wonderful truth!
On Wed, Mar 25, 2015 at 1:59 PM, Bealtaine Cottage wrote:
> Bealtaine Cottage posted: “Recently, I had the pleasure of welcoming > one of my five brothers to Bealtaine Cottage. Felim had visited very > briefly once before, some years back, but this visit was > different…something here, on this sacred little piece of Ireland, > connected with him”
I’m often unimpressed by poetry but that was absolutely delightful! Moving, heartfelt, perceptive and beautiful. You are both very talented.
Bless you and thanks X
What true and beautiful words are these.
Enough to bring this selfish world to its knees.
Thank God for Bealtaine and her wisdom.
May others see the light and find the freedom.
Blessings to you X
The Irish have never been at loss for words, and Felim proves it. 🙂
You made me laugh! X
Bravo, Felim. Well said.
Thanks X
An open heart was sated by Mother Earth and a loving sister in just two days. How lovely.
Blessings X
What a lovely poem. What an honor your brother has bestowed on you, and what a gift he has given all of us who also love Mother Earth the world over.
That’s lovely…thanks X
Colette, what a lovely and heartfelt poem. It brought tears to my eyes. I think it must have been very special for you because it is from your brother and to see him “get it” must have been very moving for you. Truly lovely, these little moments that touch us. Blessings xxx
Thanks Terri, it is indeed…and by the way, I was mindful of you just recently…sending love and blessings X
Reblogged this on Laura Bruno's Blog and commented:
A story of restoration … and love. Thank you to Colette and her brother Felim for sharing Bealtaine Cottage through this beautiful poem!
So lovely! xxx
Wonderful! ♡
My heart is, and always has been in tune with the work you do Nicole…today I sob, my heart heaves and the tears run free, as your brother’s poem so beautifully sings the song of our Mother. Thank you both 🙂
Thanks Graham Shelley…I think so too X
Your brother has captured the essence of what you have done. Put to word it is exquisive.
Thank you for what you do. You are truly an inspiration to all. Please keep your fabulous work going.
Thank you and bless you
Johanna
Bless you Johanna…that’s a lovely thing to say X
Reblogged this on Aussiedlerbetreuung und Behinderten – Fragen and commented:
Glück, Auf, meine Heimat!
Truly beautiful Colette – thank you for sharing!
Nancy O.
Thanks Nancy X
A beautiful tribute to the earth and it’s bounty and to a sister. You must be so very touched. Such a talented brother. Sue
Womenlivinglifeafter50.com
Thanks Sue…it has brought me real joy X
This poetry moved me..for a moment I swear I could hear the tumble of the brook and the birdsong…just wonderful..
Thanks Marjorie…Felim has been touched by Mother Earth and has given her a voice X
Wonderful. So glad he can now see and enjoy the wonders of an earth renewed..
I wept when I read it, for this was a new side to my brother and it has filled me with hope!
Loved your brother’s poem!
Thanks June!