Attaining Étaíne (A Chipmunk Named Macleod) Poem by Toney Brooks

When Étaín was a little girl,
she read her faerie tales aloud
To flowers, frogs, and butterflies,
And to a chipmunk named MacLeod.

One spring a dragonfly came 'round;
'MacLeod, ' he asked, 'how can we know
If worms become big butterflies,
Or girls into a goddess grow? '

'You buzz our pond and ponder thoughts
Dressed up in fear and dreary-dread!
Those frogs upon the lotus pods
Once were tadpoles, ' MacLeod then said.

'Unlike those frogs and butterflies,
And dragonflies that buzz in fear,
A chipmunk I shall always be, '
Confessed MacLeod wiping a tear.

'You silly, willy dragonfly, '
Étaín laid down her book and said.
'You little chipmunk named MacLeod,
Jump on my lap and rest your head.

'Étaín was once a butterfly
For seven years on rocks at sea;
A little girl I've now become;
Once more I'll change as you shall see!

'A Faerie Princess told me once,
Her name was Psyche, Greek I'm told,
That butterflies and little girls
Are cabbage from a holy soul.

'Though little boys are dragonflies
Dressed up in fear and dreary-dread,
One day faeries we'll all become,
'Neath colored rainbows overhead.

'Now some day soon a King shall come,
And into his arms I shall fly;
A dragonfly to help me soar,
A butterfly to help him cry.'

'Étaín, this King of yours, do tell.
Is he some shadow's faintly glow?
We chipmunks heard, as you know well,
That dragonflies are bred below! '

'MacLeod have faith, I'm not be-spelled;
Though Kings may come and Kings may go,
When my King comes my heart shall swell
With love eternally betroth'd.'

Like Kings, the seasons come and go,
From planted seeds all blossoms bloom;
Swept then away by winter snow,
When January brings her broom.

Ascended now to stars above,
Étaín recalls that girl so proud
Who loved a chipmunk named McLeod,
And read to butterflies aloud.

Remembering well the magic found
Upon sweet scented sacred ground;
When faeries danced and flowers grew;
The Land of Youth saw life renew.

Étaín a goddess then became,
The Shining One, became her name;
'Tis love not spells such magic brings
That spark the dreams of Queens and Kings.

So listen little girls and boys;
Read books as well as play with toys.
Étaín who was a little girl,
Became a goddess for the world.

You dragonflies and butterflies,
And chipmunks by the name MacLeod,
Green cabbage grows in shades of gray,
So judge ye not - Oh, by the way -

Étaín's King learned a thing or two,
'Fore to this world he bid adieu.
When things were said that did not please,
He added <i>pardonez</i> with ease.

Attain Étaín with words like these!
And mind your manners when you sneeze,
Adore your dad and mommy too;
Sweet dreams, sweet child. Étaín loves you.

Poem by Toney Brooks
Art by Judith Shaw
http: //feminismandreligion.com/2014/01/30/etain-the-shining-one-celtic-sun-goddess-by-judith-shaw/