Category: Wales

I had been traveling for months, seeking adventure and new experiences. I had seen many wonders and met many people, but I also felt a growing longing for my home. I missed the green hills, the gentle breeze, and the familiar faces of my family and friends. I wondered if they still remembered me, or if I had become a stranger to them.

Distant sun’s bright call,
Dreams bloom in a foreign land,
Homeland whispers near.

Anthony

One day, I came across a small market in a foreign town. I browsed through the stalls, looking for something to buy as a souvenir. I saw a bunch of flowers that caught my eye. They were bright yellow, with four petals and a sparkling center. They looked like miniature suns, radiating warmth and joy. I asked the seller what they were called.

“Aye, Welsh poppies those are, like the ones dancin’ wild in the hills back home,” the seller chuckled, his voice warm with a lilt like wind through barley. “Tough little buggers, they are, sproutin’ up anywhere you look. But special, mind you, with a magic all their own. Some say they hold the cure for hiraeth, that ache in your heart for the land you miss. Sleep with one o’ these beauties tucked beside you, and even in the farthest corner of the world, you’ll dream of home, green and sweet and familiar as your mam’s lullaby.”

I felt a surge of emotion. I had not seen a Welsh poppy before, nor had I dreamed of my homeland. I felt a sudden urge to buy one and see if the seller’s words were true. I paid a few coins and took a single flower. I thanked the seller and left the market.

That night, I found a quiet spot to camp. I laid down my sleeping bag and placed the Welsh poppy next to my pillow. I closed my eyes and hoped for a good dream.

Green hills in slumber’s grasp,
Ancestors’ warm embrace,
Roots rediscovered.

Anthony

I woke up in a meadow. I felt the soft grass under my body and the fresh air in my lungs. I opened my eyes and saw a blue sky above me, dotted with white clouds. I sat up and looked around. I recognized the landscape. I was in my homeland.

I felt a wave of happiness and disbelief. I wondered if I was still dreaming, or if I had somehow been transported here. I got up and walked towards a nearby hill. I saw a familiar sight. A stone cottage, with a thatched roof and a chimney. Smoke was rising from it, and a warm light glowed in the window. Somehow I knew who lived there. My ancestors.

I ran towards the cottage, eager to see them. I knocked on the door and waited. The door opened, and I saw a face I had only seen in old photographs. My great-grandfather, who had died before I was born. He looked just like my father, but older and wiser. He smiled and greeted me.

“Hello, my boy. I’ve been expecting you. Come in, come in. You must be hungry and tired. We have plenty of cawl and a warm hearth for you. You are welcome here. You are one of us.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. I hugged my great-grandfather and thanked him. I entered the cottage and saw more familiar faces. My great-grandmother, my great-uncles and aunts, my cousins. They all welcomed me with open arms and kind words. They made me feel at home.

I spent the day with them, talking, laughing, and sharing stories. I learned about their lives, their struggles, and their joys. I felt a connection with them that I had never felt before. I felt a sense of belonging and purpose. I felt like I had found my roots.

I stayed with them for a while, enjoying their company and their hospitality. I felt happy and peaceful. I did not want to leave. I wished I could stay with them forever.

But this was not my time to stay, I knew I had to go. I had a life of my own, a life I had chosen. I had a world to explore, a world I loved. I had to wake up and continue my journey.

I said goodbye to my ancestors, promising to visit them again. They hugged me and wished me well. They gave me a gift. A Welsh poppy, to remind me of my homeland and my heritage. They told me to keep it close to my heart, and to never forget who I was and where I came from.

I thanked them and left the cottage. I walked back to the meadow, where I had awoken. I lay down on the grass and closed my eyes. I felt the Welsh poppy in my hand, and the warmth of my family in my soul.

I woke up in my sleeping bag. I felt the cold ground under my body and the crisp air in my lungs. I opened my eyes and saw a dark sky above me, sprinkled with stars. I sat up and looked around. I was back in the foreign land, far away from my home.

I felt a mix of emotions. I felt sad and nostalgic, but also grateful and inspired. I had just had the most amazing dream of my life, a dream that had changed me. I had seen my homeland, and met my ancestors. I had learned about my past, and gained a new perspective on my present and future.

I got up and packed my things. I took the Welsh poppy and put it in my pocket. I felt its magic and its meaning. I smiled and continued my journey.

I was a traveller, but I also had a home, and I had a family. I had a dream, and I had a reality. I had a Welsh poppy, and I had a heart.

Poppy’s magic fades,
Stars guide a thankful heart,
Journey onward calls.

Anthony

Where do your dreams take you?

Hiraeth
“Hiraeth” is a beautiful and complex Welsh word that does not have a direct English translation. While sometimes described as “homesickness”, it carries a much deeper and nuanced meaning. Here’s a breakdown:

Not just homesickness: While it has elements of longing for a place, hiraeth encompasses more than just missing somewhere you used to live. It touches on:
Nostalgia: A yearning for a past time, often idealised, that may not even have existed.
Grief and loss: A melancholic feeling for something irretrievably lost, whether a person, place, or a sense of belonging.
Longing for something intangible: A yearning for a connection to something beyond the physical world, like heritage, community, or a sense of belonging.
Uniquely Welsh: Hiraeth is deeply rooted in Welsh culture and history, reflecting the complex relationship between the Welsh people and their land. It captures a specific yearning for Wales, its landscapes, and its cultural identity.
No perfect translation: Due to its nuanced nature, hiraeth is difficult to translate directly into English. It requires context and understanding of the cultural significance to truly grasp its meaning.

Here are some similar concepts in other languages that capture different aspects of hiraeth:

Saudade (Portuguese): A melancholic longing for something missing, often accompanied by a sense of incompleteness.
Sehnsucht (German): A deep yearning for something unattainable, often accompanied by a sense of dissatisfaction with the present.
Tizita (Amharic): A complex emotion encompassing longing, nostalgia, and bittersweet joy, often associated with specific cultural experiences.

Hiraeth is a beautiful and evocative word that captures a unique emotional experience. Understanding its full meaning requires appreciating its cultural context and the complex emotions it carries.

• 
  Darkness, Power and Beauty
  Horse’s steady gazeStrengthful eyes that dare to meetChallenge accepted Courage is the strength to face… Read more: Darkness, Power and Beauty
• 
  The Daffodil’s Song: A Lyrical Tribute to the Wonders of Spring
  Daffodil so brightGolden petals, sunshine’s kissHope blooms anew As I wander through the garden, the… Read more: The Daffodil’s Song: A Lyrical Tribute to the Wonders of Spring
• 
  Acanthus: A Versatile Plant with a Rich Cultural Heritage
  The Graceful Lines of an Acanthus Leaf. Acanthus is a genus of flowering plants native… Read more: Acanthus: A Versatile Plant with a Rich Cultural Heritage