Gleeman Brian Poem by Daniel Brick
Gleeman Brian
CuChulain constantly disturbs my sleep.
He comes to me, his eyes still glazed
with battle rage and blood.
He cannot speak. He's forgotten
all the words our people share.
He shakes the sleep from my body.
He growls at me, he bellows into my ears.
CuChulain clears my mind of thoughts.
He tells his story through gestures.
How he chose his weapon: an august sword
on which is carved a warrior's secret
only blood-thinking can read.
How he chose his ground: a hillside
of such lush green grass that eyes
blind with dust feel rainbow joys.
How he faced his foe, the bold warrior,
in the final still moments:
. . . .
How he let the sword kill,
while his mind roamed freely,
across the morning horizon.
early poems and plays of W. B. Yeats, who adopted the warrior as his alter ego, The Man of Action, not reflection, not romance, not literature - all those things poets hold dear!
Many years ago, I was at a birthday party at which Robert Bly was one of the guests. Late in the evening, guests pulled out their poems and we had readings. When my turn came, since I did not have my poems with me, I recited one of Robert's from memory. He thanked me and then asked for one of mine. I recited this one, also from memory.
When I finished, Robert Bly expressed satisfaction and cited the energy the poem released. I treasure that moment.
A gleeman is an apprentice poet, still learning his craft, not yet the Master Poet, who was one of the leading figures in ancient Irish society.
ok, the poet's note explains gleeman in the title, but what about brian? huh? i'm part irish; i won't tell which part. but i had to google to find out who cuchulain is/was, as i did not look at the poet's note until i had read the poem. a very interesting note it is! thanks. i don't know any of my poems by heart, and in fact sometimes read one which doesn't strike me at first as being familiar, though i swear i did write it. i enjoyed this poem. my favorite stanzas are the last one and this one: How he chose his ground: a hillside of such lush green grass that eyes blind with dust feel rainbow joys..................now THIS is poetic, unlike my scribblings. thanks for sharing. bri :)
ok, the poet's note explains gleeman in the title, but what about brian? huh? i'm part irish; i won't tell which part. but i had to google to find out who cuchulain is/was, as i did not look at the poet's note until i had read the poem. a very interesting note it is! thanks. i don't know any of my poems by heart, and in fact sometimes read one which doesn't strike me at first as being familiar, though i swear i did write it. i enjoyed this poem. my favorite stanzas are the last one and this one: How he chose his ground: a hillside of such lush green grass that eyes blind with dust feel rainbow joys..................now THIS is poetic, unlike my scribblings. thanks for sharing. bri :)
Nice! Makes sense after reading your great notes! ! ! Learned a lot from this piece! Thanks for sharing.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/3/2024 11:43:24 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Yes! really- the poem is very energetic! and masculine! good choice for Robert Bly who respected strong and bold mes, as I and any woman does! Really - a steel-stone impression! in the place of... - I expected the scene of cruelty depicted with joy and triumph.