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”

    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

  2. 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. 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.

      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. 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. 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. 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

  9. 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 !!

  11. 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.

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