I’ve decided to write a poem on health and diabetes for each of the 84 early Medieval Irish forms given in Gerard Murphy’s book, ‘Early Irish Metrics.’ If you’re interested in trying to write one yourself, see below for the rules of today’s poem.
Be Kind
Be kind. Too quickly we accuse
our hearts, ourselves, impose pain.
Blind, ashamed, confused, we excuse
self harm as certain, see stains
as lasting when they wash away
like waves. Absolve yourself. Wind
down, let go, watch a doorway
open. The world waits. Be kind.
by K. Fionn Murphy, © 2021
Ancient Irish Poetic Form: Sétnad mór *
RULES
Form: 82 71 82 71 **
Rhyme scheme: A B A B
Dúnad: First word, phrase, or full line (considered best) is repeated at the end of the poem.
Úaim: Alliteration where possible.
Example:
Cráebrúad Chonchobair meic Cathbad
Clár día cingtis curiad cath,
is mó éirned réimned ratha
asa téiged macha i-mach
* Meaning (perhaps): great treasure poetry.
** 8 syllables 1st and 3rd line, ending in 2 syllable word, 7 syllables 2nd and 4th line, ending in 1 syllable word.
Source: Early Irish Metrics, by Gerard Murphy