This morning, I asked Claude to provide a general evaluation of the poetry on this site, mostly for shits and giggles. Sometimes I feel I am too close to my own poetry to critically evaluate what I write, so I felt it would be helpful to get the opinion from “someone” without a stake in providing me feedback — not cog greasing or a sense of friendly obligation to make me happy. [Note: Claude was not informed that I am the author of this site, so it has no reason to lean into saying nice things to me about my poetry.]
(more…)Category: poetry
casting runes — 09apr26
nauthiz a question of need
fades the scene and i
wade bonefields at night
seeking sequels
in the beyondA 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 — 08apr26
tiwaz all years stretch &
become one long thread
with fires burning low
letting go to quell
winter wolf's appetitesA 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.
long trellis
seeking betweens in blind
i keep going back to the fog
clouding anne’s crown
crossroads slick long ago
feeding ravens without words
i was given a promise song —
naught but fever dreams,
it seems and now i slender
to empty and ached aging
long the trellis climbscasting runes — 05apr26
algiz raven wool-gathers
while hopping through
puddles, spring rain
under twist-old treeA 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.
exquisite corpse
and here is the nothing
this exquisite corpse we've laid
lines twist on transverse
turned in upon the day
a feast upon the empty and
graves cast within the shade
in witness to the lonely
this exquisite corpse we've laidcasting runes — 04apr26
hagalaz sleet seeding the ground
thunder lights tomorrowsA rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.
Today’s rune is hagalaz, which has a core meaning of “hail”, which was associated with potential, transformation, renewal and change; hail is imagined a seed from which change will arise. Hagalaz is also seen as representative of things beyond our control: a clash between fire and ice.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
card face
in the unbelonging
a slip to the spaces
of betweens for we
sierra in walls, she
holds court with
long ghosts unseen
turning all her
cards face up...casting runes — 02apr26
fehu accumulations cast away
two arms unburdened
of decades of weight
& heavy no moreA 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.
stagger
scrapedust to elude
in widescreen brim
tilted to sun burns
peeling lips parched
& we kiss the stand
waiting to fall to
pale lizard grounds
