Today is Imbolc, a pagan holiday which celebrates, not Spring per se, but rather, the promise of Spring. It is also the sacred day of Brigid the Bright, the Celtic Goddess of (among other things) poetry.
The Imbolc Cyberspace Poetry Slam has been celebrated for quite a few years now by many pagans around the blogosphere. On February 1st (Imbolc Eve) or February 2nd (Imbolc), people post a favourite poem written by themselves or by another poet so that, collectively, a vast internet web of poetry is woven to honour Brigid.
One of Brigid's symbols is the snowdrop which pushes through the winter snow to promise "new beginnings." The poem I've chosen for this year's post is also about the hope and promise of new beginnings after a time of desolation and pain.
Before Dawn, Before Spring
by Lady Tai-Ken
(Japan, 1190)
Is all the earth dead?
Dawn comes earlier each day.
I have been dreaming of crows.
What do the crows say?
There is a gate at the end
of the path; it is shut tight.
Who can open it?
There was a man I loved once.
When he died, the lock rusted.
Has no one come in?
Do I hear a bamboo flute?
Or is it just the spring wind?
What does the wind say?
Light pearls the gate. The crows call.
Oh, the perfume of flowers --
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