Gwawdodyn Hir

In the first half of the 13th century, the Welsh poets formed an order where the master craftsman, the pencerdd, won his position in competition and taught one or more apprentices. In 1450 the Welsh poetic meters were formalized by Einion Offeiriad and modified by Dafydd ab Edmwnd.

Between 1435 and 1535 the Welsh poets began to hold the eisteddfod - a bardic assembly to regulate the profession and issue licenses to those completing stages of apprenticeship. The last of the “old”, or professional, Welsh poets died in 1666, leaving the art to be kept alive by amateurs in the clergy or gentry. Revived interest in the strict forms came in the 19th century, and the eisteddfod has become an annual event, drawing poets and other artists to the prestigious competition.

The Gwawdodyn (gwow DOED in heer) is one of the 24 official meters of Welsh poetry. It is categorized in the awdl class, which comprises half of the official Welsh meters. It is a six line poem consisting of a quatrain of nine syllable lines, followed by a Toddaid (TOETH-eyed), a couplet of one ten syllable line and one nine syllable line.

Schematic:
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or

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In more modern versions, there is no rhyme, however for my examples I chose the first rhyme scheme. The hardest part for me was actually working with nine syllable lines, my mental default seems to be eight syllables.



Nightmare

Nightmare

Pray, what is it that you dream at night
That shreds your rest with so much delight
Leaving you poised on the verge of flight
Wrapping you up in its talons tight;
With eyes open wide and no where to hide
Cower in fear until the first light.