my madness song at
yellow paper tigers
stretching from walls
i arm claw trying
to find a way out
all the while
grinding glass teeth
& chewing at tinsel
i have earned my way
to straw dog state &
mantic ghosts of that
neverpast & nevermore, sing:
shake shake shake dog shake
an ugly break at mirrors
in these jigsaw daze
no one could know
there would be
so much
blood
Category: poetry
jigsaw daze
casting runes — 30jan26

pertho what does this
stormwashed beach offer?
let us toss bones, rattle teeth,
carve our skin &
slip with the undertow;
what treasures we may find...A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.
Today’s rune is pertho, which has a disputed meaning and there is some indication that any proposed meanings might be based on a corrupted interpretation. The general consensus is that there is likely some relationship to ørlǫg (fate/destiny), luck/gambling or perhaps hidden knowledge.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
mantra
...michael don't dream
michael don't dream
michael don't dream
michael don't dream
michael don't dream....casting runes — 29jan26

kenaz burning on the inside
seeking cooling ground
to draw this feverdream
from head to stoneA 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.
recollection
do you recall wrists
bound in sailor's knot or
was that only wraith?
memories from mists or
merely smoke & mirrors?
tell me true, did years burn?
beautiful darkling,
do you recall the gloaming
of our changeling time?casting runes — 28jan26

tiwaz with each sacrifice
another face steps forward
to fill the empty space
we will not waver.
justice must be served.A 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 used the offering to distract the wolf while they bind him. 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.
casting runes — 27jan26

fehu ages of drought
fields left fallow
these bones & stones &
the withered dusty husk
ache for the love of rainA 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.
chaos
woke up tired
washed up
dragged down
undertow and gone
rip tide out away
from shore
past jagged
black stones
piercing waves
and the ocean
it pulled me
so far away
until i approached
a ninth wave
i woke up tired
washed up
not needing their
chaos riding homecasting runes — 26jan26

ansuz left to dangle at
the ol' hanging tree &
i cannot breathe
without you
mouth to mouthA poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.
Today’s rune is ansuz, which has a core meaning “a god” (intended to be Odin), “mouth” or “breath”. Odin is representative of many, many things… in this case, ansuz is most representative of the mouth/breath (speech) that gives life to poetry, magic, song, language, and spirit — largely inseparable in the Viking worldview — and Odin is considered the supreme master of these intertwined concepts. By way of the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, the rune is named æsc, which is translated to “ash”, a tree associated with Odin and is representative of resilience and strength.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
casting runes — 25jan26

ingwaz oh sure, they said
put your head inside, they said
inside, you'll find a grand surprise
it was all the rage, & so we did
one cinch, one twist
& we pushed deadA rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.
Today’s rune is ingwaz, a rune named after the god Ing or Freyr. It is representative of a channeled energy or transformational process. It is also be seen as the male component of life, and therefore a symbol of sexual passions and the contributed “seed” of life (and, therefore, an aspect of one’s ancestral ørlǫg, or fate/destiny). Some interpretations conceive the rune as a symbol of darkness, solitude or dreaming.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.






