Category: writing

casting runes — 05jan25
mannaz
```
scrimblindeyes & staggerfall
mask up, mask up
she crowcalls & so
allfacesup & whiteblank
everyone undances
that skeletonwaltz
```
A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.
Today’s rune is mannaz, a rune that translates to “man” in the sense of “humankind”. The rune is associated with family and the social order, and in trusting the intuitive process or seeing clearly — both from within and from without. Mannaz influences relationships of all kinds, including those of a romantic nature, and encourages compassion, for oneself as well as for others.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
05 Jan 26

vagary

i have given to sacrifice my sleeve
it grows cold with naught pinned
          nor sewn
and i have not much need of it
          anymore
          anyway

having gone to mud
ravens scrimshaw my bone
a stern reminder of place
bound in baling cut flesh
          deep

do you recall lace curtains'
gentle ruffle of summer breeze?

05 Jan 26

the story ends

this is how the story ends
with whispers & turnaway eyes
under midnight skies
they shuffle from shade to fade
forgetting color & tone
given to ash on tongue
lacking substance at touch
howling as we slip away

04 Jan 26

casting runes — 04jan26
nauthiz
```
a disused, crooked trail
leading from the main

few choose this path
due to hardship, harry & thorn
but crows beckon, call—
it is also the path
of greater reward
```
A rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.
Today’s rune is nauth i z, which has a core meaning of “need”. Alternative translations have been “hardship” or “constraint”. Among other interpretations, nauthiz is seen as a indicative of a transition or transformation, a period of learning or strengthening of resilience, lacking, change, and impermanence — inclusive of other related concepts.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
04 Jan 26
casting runes — 03jan26
isaz
```
riverstone under ice
carved of water, air between
linger now, maple leaf
but unfrozen come spring
```
A rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.
Today’s rune is isaz, a rune that is translated as the word “ice”. Sources associate isaz with a calmness, present moment or stillness. As ice, isaz is sometimes associated with standstill, stagnation, stasis or contraction; even at times as pristine beauty with seductive qualities.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
03 Jan 26
Stonerot
We are Slaved of the Riverbound, and so even more stone than they. We are to be culled and carved away to make way for the flow which our overlords assure us is necessary for live to carry forth.
I could see in the guards eyes and with the way he held his crop that he toyed with riding me. There was a gossamer thread between enforcing compliance and wanton thrill, and the guard had yet to decide if there would be his own punishment or glory in mounting me — if my transgressions warranted it, or were it to premature and hasty to act yet. Overly-eager guards were subject to the same punishments as the slaved. Our overlords wanted their workforce compliant, but largely intact and able to work, after all.
(more…)
03 Jan 26

of the rising

behind storm eye throbbing
of poison thorn years
lurks still blue longings
fading behind washed denim 
and duels drawing crimson
over fresh fallen snow
matching ash of her hair in
the brilliance of the rising sun

02 Jan 26

casting runes — 02jan26
gebo
```
i will meet you
at the crossroads
crows cussing at the wind

i offer up knowing eyes
you offer up the same
crows still cussing the wind

we both follow the
most broken road
crows silent on the wind
```
A rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.
Today’s rune is gebo, which has a core meaning of “gift”. This relates to all forms of reciprocity: transaction, generosity, hospitality and sacrifice (in the sense of giving up something). It may also mean offering up a talent or skill; or gebo may suggest a synergistic, possibly romantic, relationship.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
02 Jan 26

games they play

i hate these games they play, i
start cutting up the words
start cutting up the pieces
and stare with heroin eyes
smudged and kohl, waiting with
torn fishnets gutter drenched

i teardrop the rain and ruin
waiting for the day you
feel these barbed wire kisses
humming on the wind
for the day you understand
the words i cut to pieces
with steel from heroin eyes

01 Jan 26

casting runes — 01jan26
raido
```
this stony road rambles
back to the beginning
a beggar's blind
under low riding clouds
rain pelts grey to black again
```
A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.
Today’s rune is raido, which has been translated as “ride” and the implied “journey”. This may be spatial and literal in practice (a physical journey), or it may be more figurative (an inner/shamanic journey, i.e., útiseta). The rune is associated with cyclic motion and the movement of the sun. Some consider the journey represented by raido to be that of returning.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
01 Jan 26