The Voyage of Bran

Bran walked alone to ease his mind
To reflect on life and love
Sweet music he heard come from behind
And from the sky above

So sweet was the tune that he fell asleep
Then awoke with a terrible fright
In the distance he heard a women weep
Drew his sword and held it tight

He saw on the ground a silver branch
Adorned with small whit flowers
He took the wand and returned to his home
He was absent for many hours

His royal friends were gathered there
When a woman appeared in their midst
She calmed the host and sung to Bran
Of a land of beauty and myth

"I brought you the branch of Emain
As a token of my desire
Journey forth to the land of women
Of solitude they do tire."

"No slandering will you find there
Nor treachery will you see
I ask you now to plan and prepare
For your voyage across the sea."

The fallowing day Bran sailed to the West
With a host of men by his side
Two days and night upon the sea
Only the stars to act as their guide

From out of the west a chariot came
Bearing Manannan, son of Lir
Bran learned that he will find glory and fame
And the land he is seeking is near

After some time they discovered the land
A host of women stood on the shore
Bran covered his face and raised a hand
He was reluctant to go ashore

The chief of women cast a single thread
That pierced the hand of Bran
Despite this act Bran felt no dread
As his boat was pulled to shore

His men paired off with the women there
And Bran stayed with their chief
The passage of time was hidden from them
They believed their time was brief

For what seemed like only just one year
Was really centuries more
They passed their time with joy and cheer
As their journey became folklore

A longing then came to all the men
And they planned to return to their land
The women were loath to let them go
And issued the following command

"Walk ye not on the land of Eirann
To do so will bring your demise
Go forth and quell your longing
Then return to our western skies."

The men arrived at Eirann's shore
And were greeted by a great host
They heard of Bran from ancient lore
And thought he no more than a ghost

A soldier of bran then leapt ashore
But instantly turned to dust
Bran decided to leave once more
To return to the women of lust!