Poem of the week: Eithne’s Carol

(Before the birth of Columcille, 7 December, 521)

One night, my son inside me still,
The fields of Gartan deep in frost
When star on star was gathering
To light a candle for the Christ

I saw a shape within the fire –
A golden angel who revealed
A mantle woven with the colours
Of all the flowers of the fields.

And how I cried when suddenly
The angel cast it into space –
I watched the cloak unfold and cover
A swathe of mountains, plains and seas

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And heard a whispering: 'Your son
Shall mirror the flowers of this world.
He'll be a prophet to his people,
Exuding the fragrance of the Lord.'

That night, my son inside me still,
The fields of Gartan deep in frost
When star on star was gathering
To light a candle for the Christ

I thought how Life expands from flesh
And how the spirit would unfurl
My son and clothe the world with light –
My son so tightly, darkly curled.

James Harpur has published seven books of poetry and is a member of Aosdána. His latest book, The Oratory of Light, poems inspired by Iona and St Columcille, is published by Wild Goose Publications. jamesharpur.com