SONG OF THE WIND

Unriddle me this, if you can
I was before God's flood
without flesh or vein or bone
headless, footlessly I stride
nothing's child, never born
when my breath stills, I am not dead
no older now, nor ever young
I have no need of beast or man
sea-whitener, forest-piercer
handless I touch a whole field
Time's partner, Youth's partaker
wide as the wide earth is wide
unequalled, masterless, never prisoner
landless, invisible and blind
solitary and brash of manner
gentle, murderous, and without sin
I am no repairer of disorder
I am wet and dry and weak and strong
what am I? that the cold moon fosters
and the ardour of the sun.

- attributed to the Bard Taliesin (translated by Robin Williamson)

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