We haven’t sat for a while, them and I.
At first, it wasn’t for lack of trying. I would go to the usual place, sit down and wait for the fire to light itself. It remained stubbornly unlit. Without fire to draw them, nothing was drawn. I might have taken it upon myself to light the flames but, in the strange rules of the place when it comes to starting fires, I am entirely ignorant.
(more…)
with eyes returning
to campfire's flickering
old grey relations welcome
back without performance
to sit without a word to say
sharp skull the tap
wake up wake up
he croaks today
A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.
Today’s rune is mannaz, a rune that translates to “man” in the sense of “humankind”. The rune is associated with family and the social order, and in trusting the intuitive process or seeing clearly — both from within and from without. Mannaz influences relationships of all kinds, including those of a romantic nature, and encourages compassion, for oneself as well as for others.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
strange days when a fiction
confirms a reality and
stones become doors in
the heather on the heath
and ravens give to crows
on the edge of bedsheets
there is not-song in head
and not-fire between
and everything's burning
at the crux of the seams
blink becomes stutter
we give fat, we give bone
we skin give to we
we've the path of ashes
bringing forth in reds & golds
burning october in our summer
etching shard ice in dreams
soon i will shift under
perhaps you bone stay—
to the elsewhen all go
in the eventual
you will wear my eyes blind
slipping to burning october
spinning, burning
dancing, turning
the catherine wheels
in ribbons & gold
come along
that may night
which has love
surrendered
in kissing
a goddess?
mead drunk,
&
a forgotten ask
A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.
Today’s rune is jera. Jera is translated as “year”, and has also been translated as “harvest”. This rune is representative of cycles, the “wheel of the year”, the union of opposites (implied by the summer half of the year ending, winter half of the year beginning), balance, as well as cause/effect relationships.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
nameless oh nameless
nameless oh love
in the meadow
in the meadow, oh—
hey nonny none
blackwork & ebon
carved to your arm
nameless oh
nameless, oh
hey nonny none
closed eyed of window
in the nightfall you'll come
through the meadow
wraithing nameless, oh
hey nonny none
after this long
wræclāst of wander to
stone step ragged roads
marked in wrap and rag
and thorn
light thrusts through
eiderdown above
warming face and stone
A rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.
Today’s rune is sowilo, the sun. Sowilo is the source of enlightenment, for lighting the way and illumination. It is also called the “icebreaker” and gives power to an “attack”, ensuring success and/or prosperity. This rune also represents hope, the light at the end of a long darkness.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
a question of need
fades the scene and i
wade bonefields at night
seeking sequels
in the beyond
A 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.
all years stretch &
become one long thread
with fires burning low
letting go to quell
winter wolf's appetites
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.
raven wool-gathers
while hopping through
puddles, spring rain
under twist-old tree
A 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.