Mari Lwyd Night
MARI LWYD NIGHT
What is that sound o'er the stones in street?
Some patches of singing
And scratches of feet
She comes from the winter, across the cold stones
With the veil of a ghost
And a visage of bones
As slow as the grave
But as quick as a sprite
The ol' Mari Lwyd is coming tonight
She comes bringing mirth
But sometimes a scare
With glass for her eyes and ribbons for hair
Her gallop like clockwork
But friendlier than fate
She comes down the walkway and raps on your gate
Her party assembles just outside your door
They want to come in
And sing something more
The eagerness mounts
As her party awaits
Outside it is cold but there's spring in her gait
With her mane all of ribbon
And eyes made of glass
She'll barge through the door when you let her pass
She kicks up her heels once she is let in
She tugs at your sleeve
And she nips at your chin
She shares in some singing
And shares in some dance
Some cakes and some ale if you give her the chance
Someone springs up and opens the door
And soon her cold shadow
is crossing your floor
And all her attendants, they come in as well
And bring you warm blessings
And stories to tell
She comes like a phantom
She comes with alarm
But she comes bringing laughter and not bringing harm
With fear in her eyes
But warmth in her grin
She's turning the old year around again
Yet before long there's quiet
As the revelers depart
But a warmth still remains in the pondering heart
A hush it descends
As the night it turns blue
And the visiting band disappears from all view
The Mari and party
They vanish from sight
But you'll see them again next Mari Lwyd Night*
Bill Rogers
12/18/2008
*typically between Christmas and Twelfth Night, usually closest to New Year's Day.
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This is my newest poem. Although I know it has a similar sing-songy rhythm to The Night Before Christmas, and does also feature a kind of Christmas-time visitation, I did not model it on that. I just woke up from a dream and wrote it. Here are two video links which might round out the ideas in the poem for you:
Y Fari Lwyd approaches the door
Mari Lwyd visitation