Step into the mythic voice of Britain’s first great bard.
For centuries, the legendary bard Taliesin has been celebrated as poet, prophet, and shapeshifter—the radiant voice of Celtic myth. In this evocative new collection, internationally acclaimed author John Matthews gathers decades of his own visionary poems inspired by Taliesin’s song.
Here the ancient bard speaks again: of Arthur and Merlin, of the Goddess and the Grail, of battles between light and dark, and of the eternal mysteries of inspiration. Drawing from the Book of Taliesin, the Mabinogion, and the mythic landscapes of Wales and Britain, Matthews channels poems that shimmer with both ancient memory and startling freshness.
The collection includes a long essay on the origin of Taliesin and the part he plays in the history of the Celtic world and its visions, and an Introduction which explains how the figure of the Bard came to overshadow so much of John Matthews’ work.
Perfect for lovers of Celtic mythology, Arthurian legend, and mystical poetry, The Poems and Songs of Taliesin opens a doorway into the bardic imagination. It is more than a book of verse—it is a journey of vision and initiation, a chorus of voices that continue to shape the soul of a people.
Enter the timeless song of Britain’s greatest bard—Taliesin, reborn in words of fire and wonder.
John Matthews is an independent scholar, poet and mythographer based in Oxford, England. He has written over 150 books on myth, legend and spirituality. He teaches shamanism as part of an on-going series of courses devised and taught by Caitlín Matthews and others. He steps into the mythic voice of Britain’s first great bard.
For centuries, the name Taliesin has shimmered in the mists of legend—poet, prophet, shapeshifter, and shaman of the Celtic imagination. In this sweeping new collection, internationally acclaimed author and scholar John Matthews gathers decades of visionary poems inspired by the Radiant Brow himself. Here, the ancient bard speaks again—singing of Arthur and Merlin, the Goddess and the Grail, the battles of light and dark, and the eternal mysteries of inspiration.
Drawing on the traditions of the Book of Taliesin, the Mabinogion, and the medieval myths of Wales and Britain, Matthews channels the bard’s timeless voice into poems that feel both ancient and startlingly fresh. Whether standing at Merlin’s grave, listening to the song of the salmon, or journeying with Arthur to the Otherworld, Taliesin’s words blaze with prophetic fire and lyrical beauty.
Perfect for lovers of Celtic mythology, Arthurian legend, mysticism, and poetry, this collection offers:
· Over seventy poems written in the voice of Taliesin, spanning fifty years of Matthews’ work
· Rich encounters with archetypal figures—Merlin, the River-Goddess, Blodeuwedd, and the Grail King
· Evocations of visionary landscapes, from Broceliande to Byzantium, from Camelot to Caer Sidi
· A living tapestry of myth, history, and shamanic imagination
More than poetry, this book is an initiation into the bardic mysteries—a journey through the realms of vision, memory, and transformation.
If you love the mythic resonance of Charles Williams, Robert Graves, or Seamus Heaney, or if you’ve been enchanted by the legends of Arthur and the Celts, The Poems and Songs of Taliesin will become a treasured companion on your shelf.
Discover the voice that has never ceased singing—the Radiant Brow of Britain reborn in verse.
“Seemingly possessed by the oracular spirit of Taliessin, John Matthews has created original poems rivalling in vividness and profundity the translations we already know, and even extending into deeper—yet wholly traditional—territory. These poems are a remarkable achievement.” —Grevel Lindop