Through wide windows, or: Through the dark

Posted on by ben Alexander

My first Byr a Thoddaid

Some find inspiration outside,
While I, flailing, remain defied;
Left wondering if these brown eyes are blind,
As mind through the dark flies

My third eye's wont to look always within,
Wherein reverie plays;
Towering mountains; bubbling streams;
Lush valleys; elves dance in moonbeams

Through wide windows, I hear horns honk;
Place mind's ear against inner conch;
Deep, still oceans within cool burning soul;
Outside, whole... world... churning...

Welsh forms of poetry

I recently discovered some Welsh forms of poetry, which I had never heard of. Above is my second such poem. My first was a ‘Cywydd Llosgyrnog’, which I titled ‘Flesh, or: Verse’. I hope to try my hand at writing some more Welsh-style poetry this week!

36 thoughts on “Through wide windows, or: Through the dark”

  3. Wow, new to me, David. But, looking at the PMO site and the coded structure (?) for a Byr a Thoddaid makes me think of rainy afternoons and tea and fruitcake – Hm, perfect for today!
    da iawn! 😉 Nick.

  5. Beautifully crafted David, the poem flows out of your mind, in elegance of old forms, you let us glimpse behind those brown eyes. Magical and Timeless !!

    1. Thanks, Muri – you know, it’s funny, I feel like I’m not so great with imagery (such as that line), but the requirements of the form pushed my mind in the direction of that image!

      🤍,
      David

    1. That is very, very sweet of you, Tiffany. Thank you!

      I always like it when the poem gets better at the end – it makes me feel like it was worth reading in order to get to that point 😉

      Yours,
      David

    1. You are very kind, Katie – thank you.

      I like trying out different forms because they get my juices flowing, and for some reason I find myself very drawn to rhyming poetry. I came across Welsh poetry forms very randomly, and many of them have internal rhymes as well as rhymes at the end of the lines so they drew me in. I like the way the sound 🙂

      Yours,
      David

      1. You won’t believe it.. But that EXACT line is what I absolutely adored!!!!!! Unbelievable! I guess poetry reaches out to souls in ways we cannot even try to fathom!

      1. My goodness, listen to you! There’s a wee Celt in us all, isn’t there? Although I’m hardly a master, my friend. Despite my years. And just to put my two shillings worth of Scots Gaelic in: Tapadh leibh, a Mhaighistir. They are similar enough that occasionally I can have a wee chat with an Irish mate of mine.

  12. Respect to the poets who can work through the complexity of the techniques applied in welsh poetry then using the Byr a Thoddaid to write such picturesque poetry describing the hills and valleys of an opened third eye. Who am i to say well done, but yes, well done

    1. Paul, these Welsh forms of poetry that I’ve discovered are really up my alley 🙂

      I love their rhythms and rhyme schemes.

      BTW, please feel free to call me ‘David’ – that’s my first name 🙂

      Yours,
      David

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