I made a friend a couple years ago that inspired my Celtic blood. This is her song. Find her at Anna Cottage.
The song of Anna – The “Bright One”
The true telling of Fionn and the Giant – Your Bard, Plato
She was born Anna the Bright
And blue brilliance like starlight birthed in the opening of her eyes
As her soul came to rest in the flesh
Her first cry announced the arrival to the Darkness
A shudder shook the shadows, a tremor announced their defeat
But the Darkness, in fear of her splendor sent out Benandonner to steal her joy
A giant, carrying years of pestilence in his sack
War, betrayal, abandonment, death, grief heavy like the damp dark earth
Sought to extinguish the brilliant blue flame of Anna
The jealous wicked Hag, agent of the Giant, beat her with a cane
Casting spells of the darkness and the lie, hoping to smother her spirit
Even Fionn the Great was injured, kicked by a horse
He was in fear of the Giant because of its great size and ferocity
He trembled knowing he could not match It’s strength
He knew Tara, the heart, would be lost
The Father’s strength now spent, turned to the Mother
He sought out Anna and taught her many wise and secret things
He called to the Shining Ones and they erected a Cairn over the light of her
She dwelt in the Heart for many years, dealing shrewdly with the Giant and the Hag
At times the light waned and flickered under the abuse
But she never allowed the flickering wick to be extinguished
She protected it and discovered places where no darkness could reach
She saw the beauty of the light’s flickering in the arts, a morning’s cup of coffee, a conversation,
The jeweled dew on the grass, the taste of green in the sunshine and the rain
She stored it all in her heart and hid it in her poems and songs
In times of weakness she would return to Fionn’s greatest gift to her
He had in humility revealed to her a power greater than his and instructed her
So in the time between times, as the bridge opened and joined the worlds
She would exit her sanctuary through the Tomb of the Captives and enter the realm of the Real
Bare feet walked the land, her soul recognized by the Oak’s bowing in the wind
Entering the grove she would kneel and reach deeply into the Irish earth, becoming still as the Lia Fail
She drew its fragrances deeply into her, uniting with its energy again
She felt the pull of Ireland upon her, understanding her connection to it and was renewed
She inhabited the place between the Otherworld and the Shadowlands
Balanced on the razors edge, entrusted with the light, awaiting the day of its revealing
The Shinning Ones watched and assisted the Light bearer in unseen ways
Just as she assisted and cared for the next generation, so too did the Tuatha De Danaan care for her
And as the time drew near, they sent to her a watcher, a companion, and a guide
Innocent and loyal, pure in her devotion, “Day’s Eye” ever watchful for the light
As the dawning approached they prepared for the journey, making ready for travel to the Place of Kings
Daisy assisted in choosing a gown fit for the Light bearer
It was time now for the Light to shine again on the New Kings
They have long forgotten Fionn and the Light, exercising power for its own sake
Evil now besets the land, abandoned, thirsty for mother’s milk
Yet even now her chariot traverses the land toward her destiny and ours
She is Anna the Bright, Keeper of the Light
Mother, Sister, Warrior Princess
Her sons rise and call her blessed
Recognize, honor her, for the Darkness could not overcome the Light
She reigns victorious at her unveiling, undaunted, regal head held high
Joy is her light, radiance and splendor her sword and shield
Prosperous are those with eyes to see, fruitful those with ears to listen
Her true value, the real treasure can never be looted by the Dark One’s
It is beyond their reckoning and reach
All those who are hungry rush to the feast and dine
All who thirst come and drink your fill
There is plenty at the table of Anna
