{"id":63660693,"date":"2022-07-12T13:01:06","date_gmt":"2022-07-12T13:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.illuminatingspark.com\/?p=63660693"},"modified":"2022-07-12T13:01:06","modified_gmt":"2022-07-12T13:01:06","slug":"the-illuminating-spark-disabled-brighid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.illuminatingspark.com\/?p=63660693","title":{"rendered":"The Illuminating Spark: Disabled Brighid"},"content":{"rendered":"

A poem exploring the matter of St. Brighid\u2019s headaches.<\/h2>
<\/figure>

(Image description: A photo of a light-skinned person with long, dark hair. They wear a long, black hood, dark red, laced top, and a silver triquetra necklace. The background is a snowy forest.) Credit: Photo by petr sidorov<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>

One of the details in St. Brighid\u2019s hagiographies refers to Her as having headaches. To my knowledge, the headaches\u2019 symptoms weren\u2019t specified, so I took some liberties while writing this poem, suitable for Disability Pride Month. It\u2019s possible that St. Brighid had an invisible disability. Also fitting, the Brighid\u2019s mantles or ribbons left out for Imbolc\/St. Brighid\u2019s Day were said to heal headaches, among other illnesses.<\/p>

Disabled Brighid<\/h3>

Were there days you didn\u2019t walk the land, Brighid?<\/p>

Days where Your headaches left You listless, bedridden<\/p>

Days forcing You to heavily lean on Your staff,<\/p>

in order to endure the days of Your wonders<\/p>

Pain \u2018round your eyes so terrible<\/p>

that Your mantle\u2019s hood was a mercy to You<\/p>

Vertigo so swaying, akin to being in a curragh<\/p>

the bed a refuge against the dreadful waves<\/p>

Even with Your ever-present faith,<\/p>

healing wasn\u2019t quick, but a crawl<\/p>

Days spent in labor and effort,<\/p>

only to leave You reeling again<\/p>

The joy and humor in Your heart,<\/p>

Your aides during You and Your sisters\u2019 work<\/p>

The headache-free days a blessing,<\/p>

with a prayer sent heavenward in thanks<\/p>

Thanks for reading Oaken Roots Hermitage! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.<\/p><\/div>

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