Eiru Speaks to the False Kings #rosc #ireland #poetry #feminism #misogyny

As the False Kings attempt to impose themselves on the people Eriu moves from Her seat, to address the assembled crowd.

False speaker, false leader, false man

Born of a woman, unworthy of the honour

Debased by your rejection of Her womb, Her heart

Enemy to half the world

Apostate to the other

Liar and spreader of lies, like mould and decay

Dead among men, unborn among women

Unclean among the pure of spirit

Firenne rejects you

You are false and therefore unable to exist

You are the three marks on a king’s cheek

Your ramparts fall before the anger of the Druids

And the Wise Women will make bread from the fire

Of your roof,

The earth rises against you

The stones and bones and blood of the land

Reject you and your band

Be they born of the land, they are undone

Found them shelter in this land, they are undone

If they visit this land, they are undone

The birds of the air, the food of the earth

The spirit of life, the Tuatha  and their homes

The Tiarna and their laws, the Tír and its being

Turn from you, deny you, fast against you

The root of your name shall be poisoned in the ground

your stem shall be blighted and the ground salted against you

Your tongues fall silent, your limbs weakened, your fruit die untasted on the branch

And you shall be unmourned in the hour of your fall.

Geraldine Moorkens Byrne

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