"Fear Faiche".

"Fear Faiche" loosely means, "green man". The figure above is on an archway at Lady's Abbey in Ardfinnan, Co. Tipperary. Lady's Abbey was a Carmelite Friary and the church is a 14th/15th Century building. Though it's not technically a "green man", the carving reminded me of what the "green man" legend is all about. "A Green Man is a sculpture, drawing, or other representation of a face surrounded by or made from leaves. Branches or vines may sprout from the nose, mouth, nostrils or other parts of the face and these shoots may bear flowers or fruit. Commonly used as a decorative architectural ornament, Green Men are frequently found on carvings in churches and other buildings." (Wikipedia)

Click on READ MORE! to read a poem by William Anderson that was sent to me by my friend, Tamra. It is accompanied by pictures I took in Ireland - most of them in Co. Tipperary where we stayed for a week. Enjoy.

William Anderson's "The Green Man"

Like antlers, like veins of the brain the birches

Mark patterns of mind on the red winter sky;

'I am thought of all plants,' says the Green Man,

'I am thought of all plants,' says he.

Ardfinnan, Co. Tipperary

The hungry birds harry the last berries of rowan

But white is her bark in the darkness of rain;

'I rise with the sap,' says the Green Man,

'I rise with the sap,' says he.

The ashes are clashing their boughs like sword-dancers,

Their black buds are tracing wild faces in the clouds;

'I come with the wind,' says the Green Man,

'I come with the wind,' says he.

Luggala in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow

The alders are rattling as though ready for battle

Guarding the grove where she waits for her lover;

'I burn with desire,' says the Green Man,

'I burn with desire,' says he.

In and out of the yellowing wands of the willow

The pollen bright bees are plundering the catkins;

'I am honey of love,' says the Green Man,

'I am honey of love,' says he.

The Vee, Co. Tipperary

The hedges of quick are thick with May blossom

As the dancers advance on the leaf-covered King;

'It's off with my head,' says the Green Man,

'It's off with my head,' says he.

Green Man becomes grown man in flames of the oak

As its crown forms his mask and its leafage his features;

'I speak through the oak,' says the Green Man,

'I speak through the oak,' says he.

Suir River, Co. Tipperary

The holly is flowering as hayfields are rolling

Their gleaming long grasses like waves of the sea;

'I shine with the sun,' says the Green Man,

'I shine with the sun,' says he.

The hazels are rocking the cups of their nuts

As the harvesters shout when the last sheaf is cut;

'I swim with the salmon,' says the Green Man,

'I swim with the salmon,' says he.

Helen Keller Goat Path, Co. Tipperary

The globes of the grapes are robing with bloom

Like the hazes of autumn, like the Milky Way's star
'I am crushed for your drink,' says the Green Man,

'I am crushed for your drink,' says he.

The aspen drops silver of leaves on earth's salver

And the poplars shed gold on the young ivy flowerheads;

'I have paid for your pleasure,' says the Green Man,

'I have paid for your pleasure,' says he.

Ardfinnan, Co. Tipperary

The reedbeds are flanking in silence the islands

Where meditates Wisdom as she waits and waits;

'I have kept her secret,' says the Green Man,

'I have kept her secret,' says he.

The bark of the elder makes whistles for children

To call to the deer as they rove over the snow;
'I am born in the dark,' says the Green Man,

'I am born in the dark,' says he.