‘Rhiannon’ (IP)

Until I saw this week’s IP,
I’d not researched the name of me.
I liked its melody (if said aright)
– the sight, however, can give fright
to those who live much further south
and feel they’d never get their mouth
to work out how to sound this name,
– it may be best if I remain
just ‘Mrs W–’, or ‘David’s Mum’.
But when they’ve tried, and have begun
with something starting like ‘piano’
they soon make quite a good attempt,
though finishing like ‘one’ or ‘sun’
(the ‘-on’ should really rhyme with ‘gone’).
If the ‘aitch’ is dropped from th’initial letter,
that isn’t a problem, it doesn’t matter –
‘rh’ is transformed thus by ‘mutation’
in very many places in Welsh conversation!

I think my parents chose it, for its sound,
rather than any fondness, admiration
for the Rhiannon renowned, who’s found
in famous tales of Welsh mythology:
a ‘goddess’ of beauty extraordinary,
described as shrewd (not shrewish), forgiving,
resourceful, and skilled in speech and singing;
helping to extricate her husband from folly,
bearing false charge with endurance and dignity.

But I am me, not a figure of fiction,
and I don’t want magic, or illusion,
no power imaginary, or tinfoil glory,
nor to be the heroine of a whitewashed story.

But please, be sure, don’t confuse my name
with that of the singer of Barbadian fame!