Cross-tree of Christ: Englynion

The englyn is the most intricate form I have ever attempted.  There is far more going on than meets the eye, yet giving the forms it unique flavor.  The 8 strict englynion are the first of the 24 Welsh "strict meters".



Cross-tree of Christ: Englynion


1) englyn penfyr

Cross-tree of Christ, of wooden structure,
pure day poured on you, as did
all midnight—and it madly flowed.

2) englyn milwr

Cross-tree of Christ, say which can
man or woman more love: sin
in bloom? your fruit, free, ripe, brown?

3) englyn unodl union

Cross-tree of Christ, in you will life rejoice
  voice till stars at last all
fall; so Satan fell to hell;
—well, you will make life whole

4) englyn unodl crwca

Cross-tree of Christ, your love-lace,
grace-craft, sacrifice-art, peace-
piece, surpasses so the price and worth of
  love's grand things men engross.

5) englyn cyrch

Cross-tree of Christ, can I sing,
ring bowls, bells, practice drumming,
ding triangles, try gongs—look-
ing on your yearning for wrong?

6) englyn proest dalgron

Cross-tree of Christ, of pure pain,
plain to no pulse, serpentine
sign on you, sin on your bone,
own me—I'm a man, a moon.

7) englyn lleddfbroest

Cross-tree of Christ, blood its fuel,
cruel, ludicrous, if I'll
smile on its stone hate, who'll
fool, born from burn and boil?

8) englyn proest gadwynof

Cross-tree of Christ where I rave,
grave of granite where I grieve—
thieving holding hell, you shave
grave, and cross-tree, Christ, you leave.