"Winds of My Soul" - Collection of Poetry

Of Merlin, Arthur, and Merlin's magic Well...

I can't recall whether this was my first-ever poem written in English, but I do remember that it came into being years ago. As you can see by the title alone, this poem is heavily based on the Celtic legends about King Arthur - themes which have always been close to my heart :)

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I heard a story, told long ago
By a beggar, in the land of mist and legend
Where some things can be half-truths, and some half-imagined.
A story in Great Britain – She was known as the Ilse of the Mighty
To Men of old...

And now, this tale to you I shall tell.
A tale about Merlin...and his Well...
Many there were accounts of the Well's magical powers,
And many there yet still will be.
But alas ! It is no longer clear to me in this legend,
What is fairy-tale
And what is reality...

In Dark Age Britain (so it was written)
During the bloody reign of Vortigern the Saxon
There came into the world Merlin, Emrys Myrddin, Merlinus –
A boy of many names and many guises.
And there came the hour when boy grew into man
And into his Powers...

So came the Magician before Vortigern's throne
To talk about a tower, that built sturdy in the daylight
By night falls to rubble.

And taken was Merlin beneath the tower into the cave.
The King was shaken by his future that Myrddin there foretold...
"Behold, Sire" said the prophet. "Two Dragons, Red and White,
Here in the foundations constantly fight... 
That is why your tower shall never stand.

I see it – the Red conquers the White...
the Kingdom united at last...
under one Pendragon's Right..."

That was how Vortigern's death was prophesied... And indeed...
The banished Prince Uther returned at last from Brittany.
And that night, Vortigern the Saxon died...and so was Britain freed from tyranny.

The following Easter Uther was crowned King by the name of Pendragon.

To this day still some say how he fell in love with Ygraine...
And how Merlin cast a spell... That night, the lovers lain in her chamber...
Arthur the Bear was begotten, taken by Merlin...and for a time forgotten...

So it was that the Great Wizard took the boy and raised him as his own...
On Byrn Myrddin, in Merlin's cave by his magic Well,
Arthur was taught right from wrong, and swordplay as well,
So that one day, slay evil he may...
All the things that were wise, just, and good
To the boy there were shown...

And in the waters of his Well, Merlin – with his mind ever so keen,
Had all of Arthur's deeds forseen...
"The people of all the world shall forever remember you – in legend, poem, and song...
You shall never be forgotten, as long as there is but one man left in all the lands to tell
Your story...

To sing of your glory... As it shall be with me..." said the Great One in a
Hushed voice. "In the eyes of generations to come, we both will gain... Immortality..."

The King from then on remembered what he was told...
He remembered that prediction
Until he grew very, very old...

As it always was with Merlin, his words became reality...
In one final battle, the evil in England was defeated...
and Uther, by Arthur, on the High King's Throne was succeded...

So it was that Peace, Justice and Light reigned throughout the Bear's rule...
And never was there anyone who would question his judgement.
Merlin the Wise offered his advice to the King in all things,
Stood by him time after time through everything,
And showed Arthur the way...

Not until both men were past their prime, had the time come for the Mage to depart.
Return he did to Byrn Myrddin, to his Hill and his blessed Well
Where, some say, he still secretly dwells to this day...

And so it happened that Merlin fell deeply in love.
To be worthy of his Vivian (who was also known as Nimue)
He tirelessly strove.
"What must I do to gain your love ?" he asked her one day.
"What is your heart's desire ? Can you not see there is fire in my soul ?
To tell you all that to myself I can never hold...
What must I do to make you see that my love is true ?"

"Dear Merlin" she then replied. "I see everything in your eyes.
I see, indeed, that you would die for me...
But, if you truly want my hand,
you must meet my one demand –
Teach me your Magic,
tell me all you know...
Show me why the Moon at night glows...
Tell me secrets of Nature and Man...
How to see through the Sun and run like the Wind...
Show me how to be Wise, and be able to see only Truth, not Lies...
And how to command your Well...
Teach me Merlin all your spells...
How to bring the stars down, from high above...
All that, My Darling, is the price of my love..."

So the bargain was made... Vivian was taught Merlin's magical Art...
And so, Emrys won the girl's heart...

Vivian brought upon her lover a sleeping spell...

And sleep they shall – both Arthur and Merlin
For how long ?
No one can tell...

For hundreds of years, the Legend has thrived...
Merlin and Arthur have survived...
And time out of mind, people had tried to find their burial ground...
But no one found it, try as they might...
For that sanctuary is now lost to mortal sight...

And so this tale concludes...

Some say that one day, both men will rise anew...
In a time of Britain's greatest need
Her call Arthur and Merlin shall heed...
Return shall both from the dead
And stand forevermore at their mighty Kingdom's head...