pulling back a pond's narrow skin
to delve shifting sediments below
finger scrying a drift back home
before our breathing runs and
backs drum tension again
Category: writing
empty
Photo by Cornelia Munteanu on Unsplash empty of understanding...
when i say i am stone,
i am not stone, i am stone
when i say i will river
i do not river, i just river
when i branch at tree
i am not branch, but i am tree
when i say of she i dream
it is not she, but it is me
these are times my vandal mouth
should be sutured shut
before someone sees
these broken words i bleedsoon, no one will call and read nothing back to me.
casting runes — 08dec25
mannaz stray midday sunlight
melts sieidi hoar
so that stone
needs never
speakA 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.
stripped
carving obsidian beyond bone
scraping down to marrow
still more: how can you cut further?
by slipping to shadows of shadows
to places behind the behind
kissing flint in the darkest of times
we grew of flowers once
we grew of trees, now
snow stained scarlet...
stripped to heartwood
we stand the granite over doorscasting runes — 07dec25
wunjo silent the flurries
eddy between boughs
my back warmed by fire
eyes all antler & stone
in this forever—
only the crackle-pop,
wood devoured by flameA 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.
Campfire Sessions — 07dec25
Photo by Ville Palmu on Unsplash Something about the campfire and the silent ghosts feels more burden than gift, so I slap my knees to signal that I need to get moving along as we do in the upper midwest, vocalize the requisite “welp” and stand. A few of the spirits turn their grey eyes to me, grant me a lingering look and then those empty eyes return to the flames. Not even a farewell wave then — the winter cold must be slowing them down today. Or maybe it is the daylight’s glare across the fresh snow that makes them blind. We gather in the late morning, although it isn’t without precedent. They prefer the glow of the flames against the backdrop of night, I’ve been told, but they will never turn down a flame lit in their honor if there is one burning in their area.
I don’t bother with any parting words. Not out of spite, but respect. I am mirroring their inclinations.
(more…)him, of the cart
fingers entwined
we laid side-by-side
waiting on the fade
into the morrow &
wept under pale stars
burning high above
our pale heartswaiting on perfect
cinnamon the kiss
you never give
as we lean over
café tables at
last night's dream
waiting on perfectcasting runes — 06dec25
tiwaz having set to sail &
rudderless on
this ship of fools
cresting the nine
on the forever & ages,
i now ache for her safe
harbor to slip into viewA poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.
Today’s rune is tiwaz, which is named after the Norse god Týr, and the second weekday (Tuesday) is named for the god. According to Norse myth, Týr offers his right hand to the wolf Fenrir, who bites it off when he realizes the gods have bound him as he held Týr’s hand in his mouth. The rune is typically considered symbolic of honor, loyalty and justice, as well as of sacrifice. It may be representative of discipline and faith. Some interpretations have associated the rune with the North Star.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
to shatter ice
seething a steel spike
to shatter ice, to
strike sparks to stone
sever sinew & send
a tattoo to bone
pierce mine eyes
so the seeing can beginshh tell no one this lullaby it is our secret to own welcome to this razor wire
