7/29/2010

Ancient Chorus




Here 2000 years ago
Stood the Isle of Avalon,
The holyest earthe,
The Goddess’ abode.

Anon, monks came and
Built a church,
In praise of a newer God
Nearby Avalon of olde.

Monks and Goddess, 
None remain.
But when silence swells
To fill these walls, all hark!

Monks still chant,
 While the Goddess hums along.

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These photos were taken at Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury, England.  The Abbey was begun in the 7th Century by the Saxons. It was built at the foot of Glastonbury Tor, which was the legendary Avalon, reputed home to the Mother Earth Goddess and a major site of pre-Christian worship. Glastonbury and the tor are still hosts to pilgrimages today.

The Abbey itself has a fascinating legend.  It is said that in 1191, the monks dug on abbey grounds and discovered the graves of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere.


To learn more about Glastonbury Abbey, Avalon and the legends, visit the Abbey's website.

*************************************

The was written for Friday Flash 55, hosted by G-Man at Mr. KnowItAll.

Posted by PattiKen
Labels: ,

27 comments:

  1. magiceyeJuly 30, 2010 at 12:02 AM

    wonderful images and the ambiance created by your verse is incredible!

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  2. clean and crazyJuly 30, 2010 at 12:04 AM

    beautiful 55, amazing photos. i have never ever heard of Glastonbury. thanks for sharing

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  3. Alice AudreyJuly 30, 2010 at 12:11 AM

    I love "While the Goddess hums along."

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  4. AnonymousJuly 30, 2010 at 12:26 AM

    A lovely 55! And the pictures are absolutely wonderful!
    "But when silence swells
    To fill these walls, all hark!" - Loved these line the most!! They lend a melancholy and tender tone to the poem

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  5. JannaJuly 30, 2010 at 12:31 AM

    What beautiful ruins!
    I love it.

    Lots of fodder for creative daydreaming. :)

    Thanks for another 55!
    Mine's posted right here.

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  6. dustusJuly 30, 2010 at 12:32 AM

    What a great 55! And the pictures are excellent too. thanks

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  7. Maude LynnJuly 30, 2010 at 1:23 AM

    I absolutely love this!

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  8. swputhJuly 30, 2010 at 2:11 AM

    Smart picture and beautiful description.. Some addition to general knowledge too.. great 55
    mine is up here

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  9. Stan SkiJuly 30, 2010 at 2:44 AM

    All this and the festival too... amazing place!

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  10. anthonynorthJuly 30, 2010 at 3:40 AM

    Beautiful. Glastonbury is one of the most spiritual places in England - a crossroads for so many faiths.

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  11. mrsnesbittJuly 30, 2010 at 5:12 AM

    How very English! We live near to York so are well accustomed to the interest the ancient churches hold for tourists. My 55 is a rather fowl one today! lol!

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  12. John (@bookdreamer)July 30, 2010 at 5:25 AM

    Live just up the road from there. Used to work there in the 90's and the father of a friend was a beloved minister to the hippy/alternatives of the town. Just a fun 55 today!

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  13. Brian MillerJuly 30, 2010 at 6:19 AM

    oo...cool pics and delicious tale...perhaps i will give a listen....nice 55 patti!

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  14. A Daft Scots LassJuly 30, 2010 at 7:54 AM

    Lovely...The pictures are gorgeous!

    Nice 55.

    Thanx for visiting.

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  15. UnknownJuly 30, 2010 at 8:07 AM

    Wow, one of my dreams to visit.
    Good 55 Patti.

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  16. UnknownJuly 30, 2010 at 8:18 AM

    Lovely. Added Glastonbury to the 'Bucket List'.

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  17. G-ManJuly 30, 2010 at 9:31 AM

    Patti...
    I just love the way you incorporate History with your literary offerings.
    Fantastic 55.
    Thank you so much for the very cool pics as well. Thanks for playing, and have a Kick Ass Week-End...G

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  18. AnonymousJuly 30, 2010 at 11:14 AM

    Awesome, photos and words - how d'you do that??? I love that the goddess still hums along with the monks that still chant...

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  19. ClaudiaJuly 30, 2010 at 12:36 PM

    like your ancient chorus - and the pictures are breath-taking!

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  20. Lulda CasadagaJuly 30, 2010 at 5:28 PM

    I can almost hear the monks chanting! Great pics and I so do love anything related to England...;)

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  21. Monkey ManJuly 30, 2010 at 5:56 PM

    I just love ancient ruins. Since we have none in America, we have to live vicariously through those in the lands of our forefathers. Great 55, Patti.

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  22. MeJuly 30, 2010 at 8:43 PM

    oooh...I'd love to go, the legend combined with the beauty of the ruins is simply enchanting. I love your poem as well, the last line especially.
    -C

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  23. Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis HallJuly 30, 2010 at 9:35 PM

    love the images,
    you combine history with creative writing,
    which is unique and fun!

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  24. Life@CeeJuly 31, 2010 at 1:30 AM

    "When silence swells..." - my favorite line. Beautifully written and I learned some history.
    Cee

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  25. MorningAJJuly 31, 2010 at 10:54 AM

    What a perfect 55 for this weekend. Lammastide, when both faiths celebrate the harvest.
    And lovely photos of Glastonbury.

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  26. KBJuly 31, 2010 at 6:50 PM

    Poetry and pictures, two of my favourite things. Have a great day.

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  27. Yvonne OsborneAugust 1, 2010 at 9:52 AM

    There's so much history embedded over there, in walls, behind paintings, and underground, and the architecture is so far beyond what we could build now. Nice 55. You're right....in the silence you can hear the past.

    Thanks for visiting my 55.

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