bog bodies

why phantom chasing
through time's forest mists --
an echoed tether stretched taut?

hush now, and forget
the voices are will o' wisps
drawing to thorny bramble
tangled in foxfire's decay

leave those bog bodies to lay
reunions come soon enough

10 responses to “bog bodies”

  1. steveforthedeaf Avatar

    Just like I got kudos from the teachers in high school for knowing historical facts and old poetry references by dint of being an Iron Maiden fan… Viagr Aboys will make sure you never mix up the specifics of a bog and a swamp again.

    https://steveforthedeaf.wordpress.com/2025/12/04/the-bog-body-viagra-boys/

    1. michael raven Avatar

      🙂 I’m pretty sure much of what I think I know comes from lyrics or musicians’ taste in reading materials leading me in a merry chase to discover more.

      1. steveforthedeaf Avatar

        Absolutely. I’m like 70% iPod at this stage

  2. lyndhurstlaura Avatar

    Your take on those bodies is different to Seamus Heaney’s, but no less effective. 🙂

    1. michael raven Avatar

      That reminds me that I’m overdue in reading his translation of Beowulf again.

      I wonder where I put my copy. Eldest probably stole it and then never read it…

      1. lyndhurstlaura Avatar

        You and me both. 🙂

  3. Bridgette Avatar

    Oh, I love the sound of bog bodies. Yes, let it be. Sometimes it doesn’t need to be hashed out again.

    1. michael raven Avatar

      Have you read about them or seen photos? They seem like something up your alley.

      1. Bridgette Avatar

        Just looked them up and you are right! Wow. That’s really interesting. The Tollund man is crazy. Thanks for pointing the way, I thought you made that term up.

        1. michael raven Avatar

          Can’t claim that one. It fascinates me and I wish we had much more context. I have a feeling that it is neither as grim or horrible as we imagine with our modern sensibilities. We understand so little of our past, it’s amazing we think we know anything at all.