Category: writing

  • casting runes — 20jan26

    othala
    she walks in beauty
    land unfolding
    to receive her while
    she brings her shine on

    earth mother
    star daughter
    moonchild

    these are our legacy laying
    under the blazing sun

    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.

  • casting runes — 19jan26

    kenaz
    huddling close to your flame
    with my frost-ravaged skin
    your lips could heal
    these still-open wounds

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

    Today’s rune is kenaz, which has been translated as both “torch” and “ulcer” . It is conceived as symbolic of flame, which is the illuminated creativity as well as the source of purification/healing/cautery. Fire is a a source of transformation and unmaking as well as heat, passion and light. As an ulcer, kenaz can be associated with a fever or inflammation, perhaps a wound which requires healing.

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

  • torrid cafe

    barefoot hanging at
    the torrid cafe
    pretending desperate
    to look away but
    a smirk and a wink
    and all secrets exposed
    in the red rush rising
    as he stands up
    leaving coffee to go cold
    all alone
    at the torrid cafe
  • bury

    i would bury myself,
    your warmth rising around
    if i could but find you
    adrift within the dream
  • casting runes — 17jan26

    algiz
    her breath mine
    gliding across time
    my heart beats
    same as her wings
    taking to sky beneath
    stones under these feet

    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.

  • acid rain

    unfolding origami
    i wonder if
    gum foil unicorns
    feel forgotten
    before becoming
    crushed straw dogs
    underfoot while
    acid rain lovers
    slip down the drain

    next time, i say
    leave all folds
    in place
  • casting runes — 16jan26

    eihwaz
    time to ride with yew
    under iron sky & snow
    frostcrusted beard with
    knifebit skin cold

    drawing from Old
    my ancestors smile upon me

    do yours?

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

    Today’s rune is eihwaz, it’s name meaning “yew”, is a rune of change and transformation. It represents the cycle of life/death/rebirth and is symbolic of the axis mundi (the world tree). The yew is envisioned as a path towards both the underworld and the heavenly realms. Eihwaz is frequently associated both with poison and protection as part of its perceived dual nature.

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

  • subject 19 — a short tale

    Below is my short fiction response to prompts proposed by Jolene on her post at Poetry & More. Check out the link to see the criteria she gave her readers either before or after reading to support another online author. Follow her, if you want to be really cool.

    I didn’t do a ton of research before writing this (and it is very much improvisational), so read it as a pulp tale, one not intended to leverage realism to any extent.


    subject 19

    Subject 19…?

    His head throbbed in time the hum of the machinery all around as Elias stirred.

    Subject 19…?

    With eyes still closed against the brightness of the room beyond his eyelids, he groaned.

    Subject 19? Can you hear me, now?

    (more…)
  • shameful

    I normally avoid political posts anymore.

    But I cannot ignore that my city is under siege by a fascist-leaning, racist, murdering, and lawless Administration who is disregarding all law and order in an effort to eject brown-skinned people of all citizenship statuses.

    We have rights.

    The right to protest. The right to free speech. The right of assembly. The right to be free from unreasonable, warrantless seizing of persons and property. The right to due process.

    And now? Our State of Minnesota is being threatened with invocation of the Insurrection Act because we are exercising those Rights.

    The Federal government is violating our Constitutional Rights and harming the people of Minnesota with their jackbooted thugs marching around, harming and arresting US citizens (as well as immigrants) without restraint, demanding to see our “IDs and paperwork” to prove we are citizens, under threat of being Disappeared or suffering disproportionate violence if we do not comply. These thugs are breaking down doors without judicially-signed warrants to demand proof of citizenship and dragging people out of their homes. They are racially profiling people, and are often wrong about their race, let alone their citizenship.

    I am posting about these things because this is a travesty of justice and the rule of law. What you see in news media from outside Minnesota is not media sensationalism. It is stone-cold fact. People exercising their right to peacefully protest are being arrested, beaten, assaulted with “less-than-lethal” ammunition, pepper-spayed, flash-banged and terrorized by the Federal government for “not being very nice” and because “they are not being respected”. Seriously. This is how thin-skinned these folks are: they are using military weapons against Minnesotans because we aren’t showing them enough respect.

    The President and his minions are on his little revenge tour because our governor dared to run against him (as VP) and our state dared give our electoral votes for someone besides him. That is why we’re in the line of fire.

    If it is not self-evident, I am angry. And, if you honestly love your country, you should be offended and angry by what is happening in Minnesota right now. It is disgusting and absolutely un-American on top of being utterly shameful.

    I will close all comments if they are not respectful. I don’t care if you disagree, but I do demand you are respectful in language and content. I will delete or edit all comments failing to meet that threshold.

  • casting runes — 15jan26

    thurisaz
    we gnash stone teeth on
    hoarcrust razorwire
    we are icebreakers with
    bones marked scrimshaw
    we dance the ghost
    under driving snow
    for all who fall

    can you stand tall against that?

    A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.

    Today’s rune is thurisaz, which has several core translations: “thorn” or “giant”. The rune is often associated with pain or discomfort (often for an important transitional or transformative reason) or raw power that may be destructive. It is also considered protective, regenerative, and is frequently associated with women’s menstrual health.

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