Fall RPP 2007 Poem

Heavy rains break summer’s drought
Earth drinks in the blessed drops
Fall returns to Ripplewood
Let call the Hús to Samhuinn

Thor’s Day Merek comes under skies of lead
Followed soon by Greybeard and Shaylee
They set to task, shelters made
And wait for others to follow

Next comes Runa, pursued by Phelan and Tova
Rains fall harder, earth runs slick
The place of landing becomes crowded
As transports slide on muddy earth.

Tender care moves transports past
As Tova scolds the men
Tarps are raised, the Mead hall covered
Fire flares to warm wet workers.

The landing clear, Torvald comes
Sliding in to greet all.
Cart unhooked and brought to camp
Iron wares and forge set, the rain subsides.

As rain rests, Epona comes, bringing good cheer
At last Zelda arrives, to greetings of all
The Hostess drives away clouds, if only for a moment
Great praises are sung for her new circle

Darkness falls and rains return
Cold creeps into the hills
Lights lance in the night, Skjeldulve arrives
With tents raised, the Hús gathers around the fire.

Drinks pass around, and stories tell
Of wee folk that make spirits strong
The Leprechauns make the little bottles
Of drink that make big people laugh.

Night grows long as clouds fall close
Mists and rain creep through camp
Yet laughing kin run through the woods
And chase the Small Ones through the trees.

Freya’s Day dawns cold and wet
Rains cease but clouds still threaten
Edvjard and Xris come to call
Shelter is made for hearth’s long sleep.

Maren and Oddvarr come next
As clouds calm their ceaseless mourning
All tents set and fire stoked
Rocks warmed in the Hall for sweat.

First sweat given to Greybeard and Shaylee
In thanks for labors long
Then others join in – Runa, Oddvarr, and Xris
To celebrate the new Sveitihús

Sore backs limbered by hot rock’s breath,
Clearing skies show twinkling stars
The Hús ventures forth to frolic in the stones
And dance in gladness under the moon.

Saturn’s Day and sun in sky!
Misa comes to call.
Glad welcomes and laughter
Ring through Ripplewood.

With rains departed blood runs hot
Let skarnbier feel the wrath!
Poor draughts held long in huddled mass
Now fly for entertainment.

In the Hall games set forth
Greybeard and Skjeldulve test wits on board
Men of stone battle long
Across battlefields of the mind.

Perches set and challenges made
Rope stretches taut as combatants meet
Quick of eye, and mind, and body
Be these three, to win at hunkerhausen.

Odin’s Gift is shared with three:
Odvarr offers runes to draw,
Maren casts for future’s eye,
And Merek sets names to property.

While Elder Smith makes wares of steel,
Epona and Phelan make beads to share.
Forge-light and torch-light mingle
As night creeps into camp.

Moon shines through clear skies
As Hús draws near to Ripplehenge
Light the torches, bring the sacred woods
Let loose the old and welcome the new.

Fire burns high with wood brought
From home hearths and distant lands
Drums and dancing, racing through the stones
All make hearty cheer in the face of winter’s first breath.

Rocks warmed again and put in warmed Sveitihús
Many climb in to drive away frost’s breath
Drinks and songs, and laughter
Long echo through the night.

Sun’s day dawns with sun shining bold
Friends pack wearily and say goodbyes
Fear not dear friends, distance matters not
When friends are held close in heart.


Fall RPP 2007, by Phelan Talasmiđr