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larose forest photos | all galleries >> Poetry and Photos >> Other Poems > "Blessed is the birch in the valley of Gwy..."
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10-NOV-2014 Christine Hanrahan

"Blessed is the birch in the valley of Gwy..."

The following poem is, I believe, from the Black Book of Carmathen, a 13th century Welsh text possibly from the priory of St. John in Carmarthen. I tried to give an ethereal feel to the photo,but don't think I succeeded!

Blessed is the birch in the valley of Gwy
Whose branches will fall off one by one, two by two
It will remain when there will be a battle in Ardudwy
And the lowing together of the cattle about the ford of Mochnwy
And spears and shouting at Dyganwy
And Edwin bearing sway in Mona
And youths pale and light
In ruddy clothes commanding them.

Blessed is the birch in Pumlumon
Which will see when the front of the stage shall be exalted
and which will see Franks clad in mail
About the hearth food for whelps
And monks frequently riding on steeds.

Blessed is the birch in the heights of Dinwythy
Which will know when there shall be a battle in Ardudwy
And spears uplifted around Edrywy
And a bridge in the Taw, and another on the Tawy
And another, on account of a misfortun, on the banks of the Gwy
And the artificer that will make it, let his name by Garwy;
and the principle of Mona have dominion over it.
Women will be under the Gynt, and men in affliction
Happier than I is he who will welcome
The time of Cadwaladyr: a song he may sing!

To see others remembering Maire in song, poem and proverb: http://forum.pbase.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=47823&sid=43007bc7bde6f9b742565e0da91d6967

Panasonic LUMIX FZ200
1/400s f/2.8 at 12.5mm iso160 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time10-Nov-2014 13:53:06
MakePanasonic
ModelDMC-FZ200
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length12.5 mm
Exposure Time1/400 sec
Aperturef/2.8
ISO Equivalent160
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Mode
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto
dirkpiet 21-Feb-2015 22:48
Great picture, love the treatment, works great. big V
Pieter Bos21-Nov-2014 16:42
Very creative! Love it. ~V
LynnH18-Nov-2014 20:41
Very painterly process. One of my favorites so far. V
wernere0117-Nov-2014 19:31
I like the contrast between the naked trees and the colourful front. v
J. Scott Coile17-Nov-2014 17:57
Bare Trees! Wonderful!
borisalex17-Nov-2014 11:57
You achiieved hat feeling , love it ! V.
Jola Dziubinska16-Nov-2014 23:34
Outstanding image, great mood and layers. V.
Paolo Peggi (aka Bracciodiferro)16-Nov-2014 15:34
Remarkable capture,my friend! Vote
Paolo
Stephanie16-Nov-2014 12:41
Beautiful layering of the trees and brush! This is gorgeous work Christine! Print and hang!!! BV
Guest 16-Nov-2014 12:01
The stanchion of birches seem to rise up from a russet bed, possibly to float skyward. Very ethereal. V
Pierre16-Nov-2014 11:44
Un décor automnal tout à fait magnifique, le contraste des couleurs est très jolie! V
CatherineSimard16-Nov-2014 10:53
Very nice
Patrick Goossens16-Nov-2014 10:20
I love birch and you made them even more beautiful with the processing.
Don16-Nov-2014 10:18
Superb image! (And interesting poem.)
Yvonne16-Nov-2014 10:06
The painting effect suits the words so well Christine! v
Ceya16-Nov-2014 09:25
Beautiful - like a painting! V
Helen Betts16-Nov-2014 06:17
What a gorgeous capture, Christine! Color and composition are excellent, and you've conveyed the onset of winter perfectly. V.
joseantonio16-Nov-2014 04:59
Love this early winter scene. Nice presentation with the poem.V.
Jim Coffman16-Nov-2014 03:53
Love this beautiful scene!!
Carl Carbone16-Nov-2014 03:08
Amazing image! You should be selling prints of this.
Raymond Ma16-Nov-2014 02:36
I certainly think you succeeded, an image worthy of beautiful poetry Christine. V
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