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 doors
Tag: poetry
stripped
casting 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.
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
casting runes — 05dec25

othala emerging ash smudged &
marked as nowhere
from the beginning—
back to the barrow
on a dark wood trail
lined of poppets & treatsA 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.
waiting drawn
cord bound in lace and
burning wheels
to find my way back
to ringwood fires and
turquoise nights that
i can never wipe
from my mind's eye...
ragged lips become
a stolen kiss, there
upon empty mounds
long has waiting drawn
for her there stillafter the flesh
it is unkindness
painted a dark blade
they deliver blindside
a haunted wondering
of what was left
unsaid in the
somespace beside
as black warmth
clings cooling
after the fleshcasting runes — 04dec25

fehu i traded too much away
for comfort's sake—
i would give back
most of my gold
in exchange for
a simple block of woodA 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.




