the red thread

“I’ve been waiting for you”

says young Rowan,

“the calendar winds said you would come,

salt air spoke your voice”.

Red, the essence of berries

and Beltane Fire.

Protection.

Rowan, devoured by the Tuatha dé Danann.

Keeping cattle safe, the core of watermill pins

and red-tied twigs.

Your glow bathes me with

red-green, light and fruitfulness.

“together you protect me from harm through love”.

Sandy Wilkie, 2019.