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
Category: writing
the story ends
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 rewardA rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.
Today’s rune is nauthiz, 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.
casting runes — 03jan26
isaz riverstone under ice
carved of water, air between
linger now, maple leaf
but unfrozen come springA 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.
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…)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 suncasting 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 windA 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.
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 eyescasting runes — 01jan26
raido this stony road rambles
back to the beginning
a beggar's blind
under low riding clouds
rain pelts grey to black againA 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.
mystery home
a smaller world i found today--
catseye azure in my palm
stained in beartooth red,
trimmed in carbon and coal
painting what i sought
to know
river washes over ford
time washes granite
carrying the mystery homeBe careful for what you seek, lest you find it.
casting runes — 31dec25
algiz we walk without even whisper
under a vast tree
some to sacrifice an eye
some to learn to see
growing laughter above —
knowledge that all choice is moot
for the gathered conspiracyA 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.
