~ By Courtesy of Others ~
Norse Poem
Wound-weary warrior
Lashes at lakeshore
Brands blaze on boat-sides
No sadness in song
In hallowed Valhalla
But brief body lingers
The vassal keeps vigil
Tired from the tempest
War-ravens reaching
Boat-brothers honoured
Joimed soon in spirit;
No feared dragon sets flame
To tinder or torch
After brothers’ last battle
For honours unfinished;
At last waters lapping
No more to return here
His soul-brothers beckon
Death’s freedom decides all
As summer’s short tempest
Fans farewell flames
Blade-bright amidst ravens;
Ring-giver remembered
With history’s heroes;
Bound not yet for Bifrost
A friend remains steadfast
His own death descending
But duties obeyed;
Sent on to Sif’s hall
No bright blazing boat
No hand to take hold
No spear-brothers singing
But one kinsman clings
Great sea-stead smoulders
Hard by hoar-bit headland
Through darkness descending
Bifrost stands in starlight
Calls comrades close.
©
Arnora Dunestan
Bard of Ealdomere - More of her works at bards.ca