Tag: poetry

  • stripped

    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
  • 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 flame

    A 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 hearts
  • waiting on perfect

    cinnamon the kiss
    you never give
    as we lean over
    café tables at
    last night's dream
    waiting on perfect
  • casting 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 view

    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 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 begin

    shh 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 & treats

    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.

  • 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 still
  • after 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 flesh
  • casting 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 wood

    A 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.