Twenty-two poets and writers from across the world, many of whom are award-winners, have contributed short fiction, essays and poetry to this fine collection edited by Celtic novelist Kathleen Cunningham Guler.
According to Celtic myth, the hazel is the tree of wisdom. Its fruit, the hazelnut, contains all the knowledge of the world—past, present and future. A salmon swimming in a spring below the tree comes to bear this knowledge after having eaten nine hazelnuts that fell into the water. Consequently, those who partake of this “Salmon of Knowledge” will receive the wisdom known as the nine hazels of poetic art.
The poetic arts — storytelling, poetry, song, drama — formed the heart of early Celtic culture and were held in the highest esteem. Not merely entertainment, the telling of tales was considered magical; through their words bards had the ability to bless, protect and heal their listeners. Over many centuries of existence, the Celtic peoples’ gift of storytelling came to embrace their history, mythology, spirituality, and folklore as well as to reflect their remarkable resilience. Today, the poetic arts remain a hallmark of Celtic heritage. The wisdom within — never static, always evolving — will carry on into the distant future.
Bardsong Press is proud to present a delightful collection of original poetry, short fiction and essays. Told with Celtic wit, elegance, and grittiness, these tales are a fine contribution to the storytelling tradition and a testament to the nine hazels of poetic art.
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