Inspired

Adder Stone

This poem is inspired by Stephanie Law's painting of the same name, in her Faeries series.

You can see the painting here: https://www.shadowscapes.com/image.php?lineid=0&bid=1016

In the barren forest where no-one dwells

Where ancient mages have cast their spells

Silver-haired Song Maker reclines with ease

Upon a bough amid petrified trees

Dragon-framed harp upon his lap

Arms around it, like a lover, wrapped

Adder stone high above his head

His fox familiar – attentive, rapt

Hag stone, witch stone, Druids' egg

'gainst hags and spirits, it should protect

Did water bore the centre through

Or did adders ring a serpents' brew?

A living forest, now in death preserved

Fossils and crystals, all conserved

Sparkling quartz, amethyst too

Ammonite and jasper, many-hue'd

Fossil Forest, it may well look dead

Drowned in sediment of river bed

Smothered in volcanic lava and ash

Its treasures hidden, unsought, unread

Song Master, sweep your fingers upon the strings

Your music soars as a bird takes wings

Truth will out, your tunes they sing

For hidden treasure, they will seek and bring

Hidden in logs, in tall tree trunks,

Sparkling gems in decaying stumps

From Time and Pressure, crystals grow

They glisten, shimmer, gleam and glow

From the deepest, darkest, grim and dead

Sparkling crystals, true light will shed

Your direst hour you will not re-tread

Let the light within you spread instead

Holey amulet, wishing stone

Peer through the hole and you'll be shown

Sacred Circle, Wheel of Life

A life of ease or a life of strife?

Water can bore a hole through stone

Your gentlest talents you cannot disown

The meek will inherit the Earth some day

Let your most tender desire lead the way.

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So, did you go look at the painting upon which this poem is based? Do you think you could tell a different story from the same painting?

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