By Baroness Machteld Cleine of Atlantia, as posted on the SCA Bardic Arts Facebook group, reprinted with permission.

At Atlantian Twelfth Night, my dear friend Ellisif Gyðasdottir was given her writ to sit vigil at Gulf Wars to contemplate joining the order of the Laurel.

I was super happy for her (and super disappointed I could not attend even before pandemic had reared its head). She mentioned to me that while there were many songs in one way or another of the journey from squire to knighthood, there were none that came to mind about an apprentice’s journey to becoming a Master or Mistress of their craft.

As a friend… I had to try and fix that. Originally three wonderful bards: Lady Keris Silber, Mistress Lanea Verch Kerrigan, and THL Silence de Cherbourg would be my emissaries to at least read the words to her. With Gulf Wars cancelled, I sent it to her as a comfort for the vigil that is only postponed! I tried to make it special to her, but also available for others, and I wanted to honor her mentor Mistress Marion Leoncina di Susa, as well as all the other people who ‘guide’ along the road. I will probably still tinker a tiny bit, but here it is:

Weaving your dreams
for Maestra Elisif Gyðasdottir

The first time you saw it,
You knew from the start
That thing they were making
It captured your heart
Igniting your dreams, you had found your key
“One day -I just know it- the maker will be me!”

Weaving your dreams with threads spun of gold,
Until those dreams blossom, and a wreath then unfolds

So heart all afire
You set on your path,
Materials were needed
But God, what was what?
You tried all the wrong things and some right ones too
But all of a sudden, it was a thing you could do

Sewing your dreams, with fabric by the bolt
Until those dreams blossom and a wreath then unfolds

Not perfect, not pretty
That very first try
But proud as a mother
Until time passes by
Then all of a sudden, flaws were all you could see
And you started thinking, it may NOT be for me.

Singing your dreams, with verses so old
Until those dreams blossom and a wreath then unfolds

But then someone saw you
And all that you tried
A hand on your shoulder
Always there when you cried
They traveled along you, they shared their own art
They gave you their time and a piece of their heart.

Beading your dreams with glass bright and bold
Until those dreams blossom and a wreath then unfolds

And all of a sudden
Or after long years
Your skills started flying
More joy now than tears
Some projects you bled on, or cursed, sometimes both
But people were talking, they noticed your growth

Giving voice to your dreams with stories you told
Until those dreams blossom and a wreath then unfolds

The project of doom
Cost you nights without rest
Doubts, tears, and yet trust now
Because it would be your best
You knew the way forward, right from the start
Because that thing you were making
had captured your heart.

Weaving your dreams with threads spun of gold,
Until those dreams blossom, and a wreath then unfolds

Your name is well known now
Your guidance they seek
From student to teacher
for the bold and the meek
Who say as they sit and and they look at your art
“That thing you are making has captured my heart.”