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Boudica Speaks

When you crush my ears
beneath the screams of my outrage,
you wonder of my salient tenacity.

My hares, have already been released...

Yet the finger spaced hollow at
the neck, slipped hemlock corners
into bloated greed's cold sweat-
left only room to slip a spearhead
into grievance's shame.

My hares, guide them O' Andraste...

Dare a single last exhale, after a fatal blow
to widen the wound, before lent release.
To spill the mother's victory dance
amid wooly cloak fern and wire grass-
where bent spines and broken fingers
can no longer speak the names.

My hares, they bear mute witness...

Beneath the stinging woad dyes,
declaration to rise against time's ashen layers.
Where forgotten, is the women who birthed
fools, and savage foreign seed flows-
into stygian soil and damp dreams
they are delivered by tempered iron.

My hares, they await my release...

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Author notes

Prompt: Tell me about Queen Boudica.
Although I've done many years of research into Celtic warrior women, Boudica in particular, I wanted to take a different route with this write. This is merely my interpretation and rendition of how she must have felt, during this time. This is what I took away from her story, both as a mother, and as an angry leader of people being ravaged and conquered.

In a list

A contest entry

Please tell me what you think

    I plan to revise this poem: please leave constructive criticism!
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Comments

1 - 18 of 18

  • trekkergirl
    August 29

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    as I said earlier I really do like the way this one was written. It still reminds me of speaking with an accent. Nicely written. Job well done. Thanks for sharing this with us.


  • simone waters
    August 26

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    ah yes. I enjoyed this very much. How she steps up to the usurpation of aggression, its influx... squarely faced with an amazonian stalwart dignity and gaze... her power guide there, beneath a warring wind.

    I truly enjoyed the visual presentation of the poem as well. It lends quite a polish to the piece.

    excellent work, poet.


  • iamlost gold member
    August 22

    Edit | Reply
    This was such a delight to read. I love poems that take some time to read, because they can convey so much more. I loved the mythological, almost magical feel of this, and I especially loved the almost mirror of the first and last italicized lines; it ended this with a lingering bang, and made me, after taking a moment to breath, scroll right back to the top and take it all in again. Spectacular.


    ~lost


  • arafura gold member
    August 21

    Edit | Reply
    Strong work. The archaic feel of the italics helped set the period in the readers mind. Very enjoyable.


  • CitrineSunrise silver member
    August 18

    Edit | Reply
    I feel that you really attempted to get inside this noble warrior and channel the emotions she felt before battle. I have only a rudimentary knowledge of this subject, but you have inspired me to learn more. I thought the continual references to the hares was so well conceived and helped to pace this poem. Congratulations on your silver trophy. It was well deserved. Peace, Liz


  • Blue Rew silver member
    August 17

    Edit | Reply
    I felt an intense magic spill from this verse. It left me reeling.
    Can not describe such sensation without diminishing it.
    You have fed well today that wild part in me always roaming
    in search of the reds in poetry. Blue


  • grampabob1946 silver member
    August 14

    Edit | Reply

    OUTSTANDING!

    I can't say that I really understand your poem. I think you know that your knowledge of the english language and your ability to manulate it puts your on a level with the greatest poets of all time. Anyone can read what you have written in this poem and see that you have an ability far beyond most other people. I salute you!!!

  • trekkergirl
    August 13
    Edit | Reply
    hmmm I liked the way this was wrote... reminded me of an accent of sorts. And I do love accents. I don't know anything about this queen but then reading this you don't really have to know anything. What is there is completely understandable and it stands on its own.

    Thanks for sharing this with us and thanks for entering it into this contest.


  • ronnica
    August 9

    Edit | Reply
    I have often wondered why women of England have not in the past taken this Queen for themselves. She was a warrior Queen, Wild and as driven as any male of her time and indeed any one who came after her. We did not even hear of her in school.
    I must read of and refresh her again. nice work you did in raising her memory here and I had not heard of the hares either.


  • Wandering Woodchuck silver member
    August 3

    Edit | Reply
    Nice job on this. I had read about her mysticism involving hares. I didnt think of a good way to put it into my poem. I can see that it was no problem for you. You used that reference very well.

    Very well done.

    Mike


  • RedAquarius
    August 3

    Edit | Reply
    This is fabulous. It feels wild and refined, meek and warlike - all at once. Wondrous magic in a poem that can evoke so much. So very well-done.


  • Draig aine gold member
    August 3

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    a most excellent write

    I felt like I am hearing this form the queesn lips, outstsnding my friend, outstanding.Still healing from hospital so I am limited in my focus loved it

      whoops


  • JinSays gold member
    August 3

    Edit | Reply
    you surpassed my expectations with this write, Hettie. I found so much here that spoke viscerally to me, I think you really placed yourself inside of her skin and were able to look and feel just as she must have. so much of this story has been lost, and for many years I've made up my own legend. Brought her to life to avenge those who deliberately hurt her and her family. That her husband was dead is what set the whole turn of events into motion, but so far I've not found out WHY he became dead. What I love about this story is that somehow her story did not get trampled out, though many tried. I've been told there are actually references of her and this event in the bible, but I havent found any evidence to support that yet.
    Fabulous write, you've got me entranced, thank you.
    love,
    jin


  • toomysterious
    August 3

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    A beautifully worded epic poem, though I know little of the history behind it.


  • Pamela A Lamppa silver member
    August 3

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    Knowing very little about Queen Boudica, I will not begin to comment on the subject matter of this piece as I will instead read and learn for your lovely verse. I loved the refrain lines to emphasize the emotion in the strength these lines convey. So much lovely phrasing in this. Thank your sharing with The Blue Lamp


  • sgking123 gold member
    July 24
    Edit | Reply
    please do help me along.I would realy like that


  • Legend silver member
    July 23

    Edit | Reply
    I love this piece I have read a little on Boudica A unbelievable woman and clearly more worthy of honour in England than she gets

    A truly enjoyable read

    Good luck in the contest

    I am though a little unsure about the use of Hares in the way you have done or maybe i am reading wrong

    In her speech she quotes

    .......Let us show them that they are the hares and foxes trying to rule over DOGS AND WOLVES!!!!!!”.


    • Hetha gold member
      July 23
      Edit | Reply
      I thank you for reading and commenting so kindly. I also thank you for sharing a quote of her speech, that I have not heard yet. That is a rare treat. I merely reference the divination method she used before battle, by releasing hares, hidden in her robes. Perhaps it was her way of locating the "hares and foxes" she referenced. A stretch, perhaps, but much mystery still surrounds this magnificent lady. It was a joy and inspiration to write about her.

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