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The Dark Eyed Sorceress and DÁIRÍNE Dell

Dimly lit were the fires one night and somber the gathered souls
a sadness lingered in every eye for one of their own was lost out in the cold
… the Storyteller surveyed them all, and in softened whisper said
Allow me to tell you a story… the story of DÁIRÍNE Dell

*

Far to the southeast of Fantasme there lay the luscious flatlands
of the Daris River
the villagers of DÁIRÍNE Dell toil there tirelessly  
along the banks of the river… growing plump fruit & grains
in soil moist and rich from the waterway and rain
but it happened one year that the Daris dried up… 
crops failed… hunger took control;
Word went out that she with the crystal ball
will come with all the answers…
she, sorceress of southern climes
the Dark Eyed Searcher
and so the seers  plotted by season & stars
the time of her arrival…
the people waited and tended their roles
whispering prayers… soon… please come soon...

Sirideán Súileabhán sorceress of our salvation…
 it is said, that Sirideán reads signs like no other
that her travels in realms unreachable have harvested much wisdom…
Sirideán is the sorceress all sibyls go to for guidance
the sultry Dark Eyed Searcher that all wizards & magi
secretly lust after on moonlit nights …
the one mortal woman all gods yearn to own…
but it is also said the dark-eyed Sirideán 
walks heaven and earth & cosmos alone… a solitary candle
in the darkest of nights;

Her obsidian eyes can turn a man to liquid, be it smiling glance or death-stare
and it is told, ‘round tavern tables and family hearths
how she is Child with no Birth… but fashioned by Mother Nature’s hand
as Champion to both creature and land and all who live with honest heart….
**

The villagers of DÁIRÍNE Dell toiled dawn to dusk
so their hamlet could live up to its fertile name
… but rains were poor and for the first time in known history
the Daris River had dried to a trickle of a tear…
the villagers feared future days… but if truth be told
they feared the coming of the Dark Eyed Searcher more…
… and a runner had arrived, breathless and dusty and almost too weary for words
she comes… he panted… collapsing at the elders feet;

she comes… she comes… she comes
the whisper raced ‘round Dáiríne Dell faster than an Autumn wind
she comes…
people gathered in the village to speculate and share their prophecies
for doom & gloom or fruitful resolutions … those weary souls still toiling in soil that blew with the breeze into clouds of  fine ground dust
 paused in their labours to look up, wipe  dirty brows and  breathe a sigh…
… she comes… she with the crystal ball and all the answers…

…alas 3 full moons passing did it take before the revered and often feared
Sirideán Súileabhán  arrived… silent and without fanfare… 
she simple appeared at the High Elders elbow… 
the wizened old mage fair jumped out of his skin
which spread a grin to every initiate in the hall…
You called… her crystal whisper carried to every ear in the grange
what seems to be the problem, you called my name…

it’s a matter of water, the old mage explained
14 full moons and still no rain… the crops have died
our livestock too… children weep, the old can’t sleep-
- even the forest creatures grow weak… 

your mountain-fed river was designed to  never run dry
have you dammed it? Damaged it? 
Tell me why the endless river has run dry? 
Sirideán was not impressed
the freedom of this river must be addressed!

All looked to the eldest elder, all paled beneath Sirideán’s stare
 nothing have we done, but toil in the sun
an honest day’s work for any good man
day in and out and into the night… we toil for nought
water is our blight… infants cry all through the night
aged souls pass before morning light… 
help us revered Lady…. help our plight!

Sirideán’s cold stare made everyone aware just how little for mankind she cared –
- the Earth’s well-being was her domain and she knew this mountain river Sempiternal by name
should flow freely despite no rain;
she swept the congregation with keen penetrating eyes…
sharp as diamond, clear as dew
leave the matter with me, she scolded, I shall be back
when the moon is new!

The village of Dáiríne Dell to pondering silence fell
but thoughts turned dark that day and souls turned grey
as man accused man and sister charged sister with deeds that caused their downfall…
fingers pointed and words scathed … enemies were made that day;

The Dark Eyed Searcher returned when the moon was new
a sliver of silver in the darkest night… the villagers gathered
in number by lantern and candle light…. would there be an answer to their plight or would this be the longest night any would see… 

Sirideán’s dark eye flashed like onyx…  her pupils as sharp as shards that bore into each man’s soul,
and chilled each woman’s heart…

 The river is blocked and dammed, Sirideán roared… Mother Earth’s Law you have ignored!
You deny precious water to the village yonder… why is this I wonder?

B .. but … but, Revered One , the elder sputtered …  we did not dam the River... the River is our sustenance…. our very life giver!

Nooo…not by You, Sirideán cried… by those in the village you have denied!
… they now divert and channel the water to their dam…. they said you would not share the earth- treasure of water given at birth …  
and so took what they needed…

The villagers looked to each other…  excuse fell from their lips
legend has it the Sempiternal River is ours!

No river is yours! Sirideán exploded… this river belongs to Mother Earth
Bequeathed to you to use from birth…  did your mother’s not teach you to have a care
did they not teach you how to share!!

… heads hung low in the village that night… and hearts tolled a heavy bell
sleep did not sooth a single soul in the village of Dáiríne Dell…

Revered One, the elder finally whispered as dawn broke through the trees
we understand our error… help us please! Our children grow weak… 
the aged no longer speak
silence is our only song…  please help us to make amends 
and right what we have wronged!

Sirideán gazed intently, into every face and mind… she saw remorse and fear in hearts clear
and a hunger in each child’s eye…  Sirideán sighed…

Very well, she said at long last… put the past in the past and make amends this very day…
Go all, to your neighboring village… with them you will toil until the dam is gone and from this day forward, forever and on, the river is of free spirit… and share it you must
never taking more than you need in Mother Earth put your trust
this mountain-fed river  was designed to  never wither
 but nourish all who come in need
for our Mother Earth, in all her wisdom, just can’t comprehend human greed.

Sharonlee Goodhand Imageweaver

Style / type: 
Free verse
Last few words: 
I am currently working on a collection of fantasy poetry centred around an imaginary world of my creation. This one of the poems in the collection.
Editing stage: 
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content

Comments

Let's hear more.
.~ Geezer
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I wasn't sure if longer pieces would respond well...
Is your reference re times and subjects in relation to the workshop?
Sorry if I misunderstood, I don't really know Neopoet that well even though my account is almost 2 years old, I haven't participated much.

Sharonlee Imageweaver

author comment

and subjects are in reference to the chat room that I was running. It was not a huge success and I think that it had to do with the time mostly, but I added the subjects thinking that it might help to have people give some ideas about what to talk about.
~ Geezer.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I wasn't sure if longer pieces would respond well...
Is your reference re times and subjects in relation to the workshop?
Sorry if I misunderstood, I don't really know Neopoet that well even though my account is almost 2 years old, I haven't participated much.

Sharonlee Imageweaver

author comment

Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I wasn't sure if longer pieces would respond well...
Is your reference re times and subjects in relation to the workshop?
Sorry if I misunderstood, I don't really know Neopoet that well even though my account is almost 2 years old, I haven't participated much.

Sharonlee Imageweaver

author comment
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