A storied gaze through emerald eyes
oceans of mystery, veiled by faerie sighs.

Magic and enchantment, wisdom’s chthonic lore
the province of the druidess, a shadow at the shore.

Her language undeciphered, encrypted Ogham runes
impenetrable, inscrutable, mythological tunes.

The painter by his brushstroke in colors tries to capture
her forlorn face, her rosy lips, more reverie than rapture.

A bridal gown she seems to wear, an efflorescent sheen
that signifies a sacred vow, guardian of the deep oak green.

This image, then, an offering to the goddess’ name;
Sovereignty exacts her silence, translated face of fame.

[Christopher (“C.D.”) Greiner is a poet, writer, and occasionally shapeshifting dragon. He holds an MA in English from the University of Minnesota and a BA in English from Penn State University, where, once upon a time, he also acted Shakespeare. He has taught English at the University of Minnesota and the University at Buffalo (SUNY), where he also completed graduate work in anthropology. His interests range from Chaucer and Middle English to shamanism and cultural ecology. He has previously published on Sami poetics in IK: Other Ways of Knowing (2015). “Druidess of Danu” is his first published poem. Among other productions, Chris is currently at work on a book of genealogy, where he is learning much about Celtic, Germanic, and Scandinavian history, and wizardry of many kinds. You can read more of Chris’s musings on these and other topics at Druid’s Dharma, at @ArcadianArts on twitter, and via email at christopher.d.greiner@gmail.com.]