The Dolmens of Dyffryn Ardudwy
Old bones that once lay beneath old stones
The first in faith here so long ago
Old age that crept upon a chieftain’s bones
A dolmen built in respect and in belief
What then of that belief from early man
Who walked the woods when wild boar still roamed
Land cleared as huts of wood were built
Crops to be grown to feed a group
Early pastoralists they may have been
Whose skills may also have hollowed trunks
To make canoes and upon seas to catch fish
Whilst amongst the rocks shellfish were sought
Yet there are no signs of middens from these times
How many might be involved
To raise capstones weighing several tons
How did they perform such tasks
In times before metals were being used
What drove them to carry out the task
The answers we may never know
Why should these folk have raised these stones
What drove them to respect the dead
Was there some belief in a future life
At the least a belief in some higher power
Stones raised for bones
Not those that made their circles in the hills
To mark the solstice twice each year
Nor the single stones whose purpose remains unknown
These stones were raised in some belief
Standing now beside the two dolmens at Dyffryn Ardudwy
I can feel a peace as rises the morning mist to give way to sun
Are the spirits of those who once lay here still within these grounds
Did their souls find a place for eternal rest
Why should the only souls to be saved
Have come from some group of tribes in Palestine
Surely His presence was also in these hills
His wonders also upon this countryside
Surely those who eked a living in those times
Knew more than just the changing of the seasons
I wondered if they prayed as we do now
Or just how they gave their thanks to Him
Festivals perhaps held as in Celtic times
For harvests that provided for their livelihood
Now only yards away a busy road
With a flood of tourists steaming by
Few will stop and visit these old stones
Few will pause and wonder why
Some may pass taking the dogs for morning walks
Occasionally a visit to take a photograph
Yet these old stones still hold a memory
Spirits that might tell a tale if free
Revealing their meaning perhaps to you and me
Copyright: David Hopcroft August 2019
Park Bench Tales and other writings 