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A VeΓ€ry Tale

A Poem Based on The Words In The Glossary Of PJ Harvey's epic poem "Orlam"

By Mike Singleton πŸ’œ Mikeydred Published 2 years ago β€’ 1 min read
An AI Creation By The Author

Introduction

I am still reading "Orlam" by Polly Jean Harvey and each page in the book is set out in English, then her Dorset dialect. At the end of the book is a glossary of words used in the book and I have to thank Judey Kalchik for providing this link for me to use:

And also the encouragement of Bill O'Neil in the Vocal & Medium Cafe

This is my piece on how "Orlam" is inspiring me.

I originally wanted to only use words in the "Orlam" Glossary but Polly Jean's words use a mix of Dorset and English.

I won't say what the Dorset words mean, and as "Orlam" itself is dark and mythically magical I think I will use the villanelle format, and hope that Vocal are OK with the Dorset dialect, although when you think about it, it is an English dialect.

Judey's link will provide some words but not all, for that you may have to get the book.

The song is "The Nether Edge" from β€˜I Inside the Old Year Dying’ the album that accompanies "Orlam"

A VeΓ€ry Tale

πŸŒœπŸ¦‹πŸ‚πŸπŸ§œβ€β™‚οΈπŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈπŸπŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈπŸ§œβ€β™‚οΈπŸ•·οΈπŸ‚πŸ¦‹πŸŒ›

Hag-Ridden Through The Grotten To The Hoar Stone

The Jack-o’-lent Moves In LibbetsTo Eat More

Wevvets and Wevvet Queens There In Wagwanton

πŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈπŸπŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈ

In The Bwoneyard Bedraggled Angels Are Come

Darkling Birds Tardle In Trees With A Culver

Hag-Ridden Through The Grotten To The Hoar Stone

πŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈπŸπŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈ

A BleÀre In Gore Heard As You Clutch Your Bavèn

Theosom Thieves Wait By The VeΓ€ry Ring In Gore

Wevvets and Wevvet Queens There In Wagwanton

πŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈπŸπŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈ

See In The LeÀze The Haulm They Bin HaÿmeÀkèn

Here We Hear The Buzzing Noise of Dumbledore

Hag-Ridden Through The Grotten To The Hoar Stone

πŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈπŸπŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈ

Zedgemocks, Yollerheads, Yoller Roses And Zun

In The Vuzzen The Wheel-Bird Sees The Black Wurse

Wevvets and Wevvet Queens There In Wagwanton

πŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈπŸπŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈ

Ho's Adder Comes Quietly To Foretell Heissen

The Chattermag Feasts on Chetlens, Devil's Bird

Hag-Ridden Through The Grotten To The Hoar Stone

Wevvets and Wevvet Queens There In Wagwanton

πŸŒœπŸ¦‹πŸ‚πŸπŸ§œβ€β™‚οΈπŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈπŸπŸ§šβ€β™‚οΈπŸ§œβ€β™‚οΈπŸ•·οΈπŸ‚πŸ¦‹πŸŒ›

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Mike Singleton πŸ’œ Mikeydred

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Comments (8)

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  • Talia Devora2 years ago

    Very interesting!

  • Babs Iverson2 years ago

    Fabulous!!! Loving it!!!β€οΈβ€οΈπŸ’•

  • Lynn Jordan2 years ago

    I love this and PJ (my Insta handle is FiveFootQueenie LOL). I have to go back and do the translations because I'm nosey, but then again, I feel that it might lose some of its magic if I do. It's beautiful without knowing what it all means!

  • Lol, the only one I knew was that Dumbledore is Bumblebee! Loved your Villanelle!

  • Beautiful, all the moreso for not understanding a lot of it, lol. I'm on my cell right now & will have to wait until I get home for the translation.

  • Cathy holmes2 years ago

    Very creative, although I have no idea what I just read.

  • Mother Combs2 years ago

    hauntingly beautiful

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