Category: writing

  • casting runes — 12jan26

    othala
    lake facing lake
    in underwater to go
    slipping beneath winter
    cut scrimshaw carved stone

    these deadlands beckon
    ...come, sit, eat...
    blackwing at wellside up
    watching the old wind sweep

    A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.

    Today’s rune is othala, which has a core meaning of “heritage”, “inheritance” and “legacy”. These are all associated with home, kin, ancestors, stability and (in some interpretations) past lives or spiritual legacy.

    Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.

  • when of me?

    when of me?
    .
    .
    .
    when?
    .
    .
    aching at return
    nothing i know am i, yet
    tattooed inside lip mine
    a name a name a name
    carved into my femur
    cut into my heart
    pinned upon my sleeve
    pierced onto my tongue
    .
    .
    asking as if need—
    when, oh when of me?
  • waiting-sit

    i waiting-sit the grove
    clearing deadfall in tree
    snow wash of weary
    i waiting-sit the tree

    stolen wind whispers
    hush now, hush
    stone carved stone
    at edging double bottom
    falling

    i waiting-sit the tree
    grove me mud of bone
    kissed blood a’washing
    i waiting-sit alone
  • casting runes — 11jan26

    berkana
    i dreamwalk as ley trees walk
    her canopy shadow's embrace &
    my head resting at her hills
    drifting off in sensual slumber

    A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.

    Today’s rune is berkana, which translates to “birch”. Birch are associated with earth-mother and maternal energies. Because birch is a “pioneer tree” which tends to grow in advance of other tree growth — especially after forest fires — berkana is associated with renewal and rebirth. Additionally, berkana has ties to liminal thresholds of all types, especially those paths to the underworld.

    Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.

  • casting runes — 10jan26

    algiz
    footprints in fresh snow &
    skeleton trees coaled of gloaming
    owl calling between crow
    a pale scythe sweeps to reap

    A rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.

    Today’s rune is algiz, which may mean either “elk” (there is some uncertainty if this is the case) or yew (Old Norse). It is associated with the Otherworld, protection/sanctuary, and with guardian spirits/fylgja. The unconscious mind is also sometimes associated with algiz.

    Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.

  • casting runes — 09jan26

    fehu
    "we want the world &
    we want it now..."

    rip out the barbed wire fences,
    carry swine to the edge
    of the world &
    throw them all down

    A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.

    Today’s rune is fehu, which has a core meaning of “cattle” or a more generalized “livestock”, which was a representation of personal wealth or earned prosperity. Sometimes luck played a role. Wealth and prosperity was valued, but was looked down upon when material accumulation appeared to be excessive, greedy, miserly or turned to hoarding, especially when those around you were lacking.

    Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.

  • waiting to begin

    awake to ear ringing
    & litmus tests papering
    our present lavender

    faint, the voice calling
    so i resthead on the ley
    hoping for to clarion that
    lost in babble on & on

    a need to root in & stone
    branching out & to oak
    careless as a whisper
    on the wind

    i wait for them in
    forgotten corridors
    waiting to begin
  • casting runes — 08jan26

    wunjo
    tug of the healer calling
    drawing up a hood
    walking the woods
    as i did once & again

    A rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.

    Today’s rune is wunjo, which is translated as “joy” and has been interpreted in both the earthly sense as well as in spiritual ecstasy. It has been associated with healing (emotional, mental and interpersonal) and some sources connect the rune to luck, the act of making a wish, or applied will. Wunjo can also be the inspiration for creativity.

    Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.

  • hex

    Photo by Nastia Petruk on Unsplash
    to you who would soak us
    in our own blood:
    your swagger sickens me

    i reject your new amerika,
    you piggies at the trough
    with your shit-filled lies.
    when your butcher's bill comes
    i pray to all the gods that
    it is you who pays the price
  • casting runes — 07jan26

    fehu
    daggers gnaw the wolf's belly
    as he surveys snowy plains for
    young reindeer to offer "protection"

    A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.

    Today’s rune is fehu, which has a core meaning of “cattle” or a more generalized “livestock”, which was a representation of personal wealth or earned prosperity. Sometimes luck played a role. Wealth and prosperity was valued, but was looked down upon when material accumulation appeared to be excessive, greedy, miserly or turned to hoarding, especially when those around you were lacking.

    Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.