Wild Folk: Tales from the Stones
By Jackie Morris and Tamsin Abbott
An exquisite collection of shape-shifting tales from two magical artist-storytellers.
Monday, 17 July 2023
Owl, human or flowers?
Tamsin and I just did our first event together, at the Byline Festival in Dartington. I'd been headachey and scatty for a few days, not quite myself. I had meant to take the words for teh owl story for Wild Folk on stage, but somehow left them somewhere. I'd been talking to Tamsin about them. They are slight, and unless you know the story of Blodeuwedd I worried they might not be enough, so wanted to get a taste of how they sounded, whether they needed more.
Anyway, here they are. I think perhaps Tamsin is right. So for now I will leave this as it is and wait to see the images that arise.
Alan Garner's Owl Service suggests that she would always rather be flowers, though she was made to be owl. I would rather have claws. So I ask you, owl, human or flowers?
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Comments
I think Tamsin is right Jackie, this fierce and beautiful tale is just right in its sharp shortness. XX
posted 18th July 2023
It is strong, female ,enough. Gwych, Prydferth.
Diolch
posted 18th July 2023
Simply stunning, Jackie. I listened in awe. It needs no more words.
posted 18th July 2023
It is wonderful, perfect as it is. Enough. And I'd always always always rather be owls than flowers.
posted 18th July 2023
It's beautiful and absolutely perfect just as it is.
posted 18th July 2023
Beautiful to listen to! It doesn't need any more words.
posted 18th July 2023
Jackie this is so beautiful it has really moved me I have tears rolling down my cheeks, not the best at work! I don’t know why it’s rung an accord in me but it’s woven into my inner flight, not to caged but be in the air, I would be Owl.
posted 18th July 2023
That is simply beautiful. Loved listening to you read it. It is perfect as it is, no more words required.
posted 18th July 2023
I leant about her when doing my druid studies, wonderful to have a piece based on her perspective. Perfect as it it. Beautiful wild, and powerful.
posted 18th July 2023
I’m Scottish and don’t know the Blodeuwedd story so it took me a wee while to catch on, but that was part of the pleasure of this beautifully crafted narrative. I wouldn’t change a word - the word pictures are beguiling and the language enagaging. It leaves you wanting more !
posted 18th July 2023
It's perfect as it is and beautiful xx
posted 18th July 2023
Anything more would dilute its power and beauty, it's perfect. (Owl, by the way - best of both worlds!)
posted 18th July 2023
Oh wow, that has blown me away. I'm not sure yet why it struck me so deeply but I was moved to tears. That is such a wonderful story and beautiful piece of writing. I too would be Owl but whatever form its about the heart of oak. Thank you, so much for this
posted 18th July 2023
It seems perfect because from my perspective - an elderly woman in the USA who is not schooled in the stories this is derived from - feel 'heard' today. The language is universal. It is touching.
posted 18th July 2023
Beautiful Jackie. I think it's perfect.
posted 18th July 2023
In answer to your question - owl. As someone who has spent the past 20 years studying and working to protect owls in the western USA, I fiercely love these amazing, beautiful raptors. And I too would want claws - you need them to survive in this world. Thank you Jackie - always an inspiration.
posted 18th July 2023
What evocative story telling— and a transportive reading! Thank you for sharing… it’s lovely.
when I first read The Mabinogi years ago, I wondered about the stories from a female perspective… Here you have given my wondering skin and breath— as Blodeuwedd from oak and flowers—fully formed. Wings and claws? Yes. An owl.
posted 18th July 2023
just perfect, enough.
posted 18th July 2023
Owl to me is synonymous with my dad because it was his spirit bird, but there are legends of Owl Woman in many cultures, not least those I grew up with in BC and in the Mabinogion of Wales, where I now live. So for me, the entwining of all three: the strength of human female, the fierceness of owl and the softening of flowers. I, too, am all for claws and maybe some thorns. Diolch am rannu'r stori -- perffaith!
posted 19th July 2023