This is the third poem in the 'Rhiannon-Epona' sequence. The Horse Goddess in Celtic mythology carried the souls of the dead to the Happy Isles, Bright Land, Summerlands, etc. - i.e. the Otherworld - often on horseback where she turned into a ghostly white mare. States of soul suffering requiring transformation(death in life states) could also be alleviated by the Horse Goddess (i.e. by the three Birds of Rhiannon as per the Mabinogion).
Poem 5 - The White Mare, copyright Ian Irvine (Hobson) all rights reserved, 2014.
See also a useful summary of the Rhiannon legend/myth up at the 'Goddess Gift' site. Likewise, it is worth listeniing to/watching this brilliant performance of Fleetwood Mac's retelling of the story on stage in 1976 - go to Rhiannon (song) by Fleetwood Mac.
Another great poem for this series Ian. The world gone silent as the mare approaches. You have a great sense of the dramatic. I have one possibly odd question.
The reference to sheet music seems a bit incongruent.
While I'm not familiar with the myth of the riderless white mare, I am quite familiar with the Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Paralysis is the albatross around my neck.
Danielle and Nina are rescued from their wicked step-mother by Emma the Yellow Dream Train who takes them on adventures. When Nina learns she has the ability to speak to animals, Emma and the other trains teach her how to use it.
The third book of the trilogy, The Chronicles of Henry Roach-Dairier, this volume, as with the others, will appeal to both adults and young adults. Readers will experience several levels of meaning from literal to social satire.
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The reference to sheet music seems a bit incongruent.
I'm not sure why those lines are in there. Bob
Ron