Spring RPP 2007 Poem

Odin’s Day, the Founder comes
To find his journey blocked
Winter’s breath has lain trees low
Across the entrance path.

Proud, strong axe, forged by his hand
Is brought to bear on bole
Might of the forge bests sad wood
The path is clear to walk.

Thorsday hears the horns call out
As others come to the Hall
Phelan and Merek, then Shaylee and Greybeard,
Break Torvald’s lonely vigil.

Greybeard’s image, traced on board
By grandkids left back home
Foeman made to practice arts
Of bow; and spear and axe both thrown.

Greybeard pulls out his working file
To tame a jagged edge
Slip of hand while mind wanders
Brings First Blood’s ring for rent flesh.

Staves of wood placed on metal tank
Hide the present from past’s eye
Tent too small holds modern things
Making kitchen pleasing to behold.

Jeffrey and Maren Grjòtskipa, the stones-placer
Come new to our proud Hall.
Roc welcomes all then wanders for awhile
Bjorn and Slava claim their place near Hearth.

Flesh and blood bring bones of earth
To buttress the Hall’s cloth walls
Backed by earth - world’s flesh joins its bone
Rock wall is raised to block cold wind.

Night draws in, the Hall’s fire stoked
As bright-star shines on slivered moon
Raedwulf comes, bringing strong spirits
And mighty tasks set to test the bold.

Much later still as fires cool
And workers head to sleep
Cyrillis and Kormoc, bringing Travis and Kàta
Raise their tents under broken moon.

Freya’s Day dawns cool and clear
As others come to call
Ulrik and Megan bring much to trade
And tempt Epona too early.

Taunts and shouts echo forth, as skarnbier flies about
Ale Thane sets forth grim task: Death to common beer!
Spear and axe, sword and cudgel,
Perform the grisly work.

Sad missive from distant lands - Hrafn and Runa delayed
Megan steps forth, with Cara and Edvjard
A feast flows forth from Hearth to all
Three cheers for the kitchen crew!

A revolt at neighborhood shop
The locals come home early
Zelda brings friends and workers three
Pandora, Erlandr, and Jezebel join the fun.

Rope and keg are set on road
Phelan calls Raedwulf to task
More gather round, challenges given
Hunkerhausen is played by many.

Bronze in cup upon the forge fire
Weapons and trinkets formed in sand
Bring the cup, pour forth sun’s glow
A good first try, and lessons learned for next.

Xarrmon and Desdamona… with sun in sky?
Are they early, or late for last night?
Yarns and jokes, spirits of rainbow colors
And the tent only rises after darkness.

Misa comes after labors long
To share our hallowed Hall
Raven and Bjoric bring great cheer
And scents to interest all.

As darkness falls the Trade Bench is placed
To show wares great and fair
Blades and boxes, treats and jewelry
Trade hands with laughter and a shake.

Saturnsday Hrafnir arrives
Baking breads most fine
Along with Erlandr, they display
Skill with bow envied by many.

Joyous cry rings out - Runa comes!
She and Hrafn wearily rejoin the Hus.
Bagpipes call from across Ripplewood
The Hus is full at last!

Raedwulf and Zelda build a maze most cunning,
Hiding Winding Horn far from camp.
Immortals they make themselves
Then set arms for all to take.

The Race starts and fighters sprint
To take up their arms
Immortals block the path and confound runners
Where can the Horn be?

Long is the search, yet at last a sound!
Travis proclaims his find to all
Stealthily he approaches the Hall
While others gather to defend the return.

Long last the Bearer draws near
Fighters form a screen
Battle comes, with Immortal mischief
The Horn changes hands again and again.

The battle draws long, many fall
Pandora waits and watches
When the opening comes she takes the Horn
And places it upon the goal.

Rains come but dampen spirits none,
More games follow, pitting sides
To steal each other’s strong drink
And bring it back to share.

Bright fire burns to heat sweat rocks
And warm Sweat Lodge most finely built
A sweat during day, another at night
Warm many, some of them twice.

Fires burn long into the night
Erasing the last signs for work parties past
Lost moon rises high as clouds depart
Beltane fires bring the Hus near.

Sacred woods brought from far
Each placed with stories to tell
Brave leaps over flames to banish Winter’s Frost
And welcome in the spring.

Sun’s day dawns, packing comes
While sun dries rain’s cold touch
We’ll be back soon we promise all
Distance is felt in mind not heart.

Spring RPP 2007, by Phelan Talasmiđr