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Rowan tree folklore .

Karen Bookguilder is intended to be a collection of poems 60 poems expressly for the Book Guild by Mike Burr - the themes being dictated by or about its published artisans .

Beast

the Rowan with the braes does clash
its scarlet fruit praised among the wither grass
by drunk blackies, and rough tag badgers kin
and of the quicken twig made off
and posted round the grave
will keep the dread from rising
she knew within
the legends of the tree
and tied his arms with mountain ash
in thongs
he struggles but his spectre
cannot ride among the four winds
gap toothed Neanderthal
his strength is mighty at these altitudes
where men can hardly breathe
yet only flame can free him from his trials
or love unbound
but who would love a beast ?
blue to black the high winds call
the faeries and the witches be abroad
with tongues and blades of magic
but will they slip the bonds ?
many a woman has slept a wild and ugly man
and prized him for his worth
yet the foes of goodness cower
upon the spectral scene with reason
... and there she is
among the lambcots trembling
here am i bound upon that ferocious mountain peak
cussing and knowing the blackness in my heart
for unbound
i will kill her

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Beast

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