Like a dragon’s breath
Deliriously exhaled
And held in magical suspense
Over slumbering smooth lands reaching a high hill on the horizon.
Once lakes, once islands
Once a kingdom, was this place.
Lakes full of drifting wooden boats,
Sealed with tar, filled with armour,
Drifting slowly across still waters in the silvery moonlight.
The King’s men emerging through the dragon’s breath;
Expressionless, motionless.
Pawb a chwennych anrhydedd.
Ghosts of invaders drifting, too, through the mist,
Drifting, keelless, paddles raised, poised.
Man dēþ swā hē byþ þonne hē mōt swā hē wile.
In magical suspense before dawn.
Somerset