Fall RPP 2008 Poem

Summer’s short time fades too fast
Cold nights stretch long as colors turn
Horns ring forth on hallowed ground
Let Hús gather in fall’s fading glory.

Slick path fixed with much firm stone
No rain nor snow shall cause concern
Zelda pauses, perhaps a sound
þórsdagr they shall surely come.

First Merek, rune master fine
Then Torvald, tamer of flame and iron
Set to task, first fire started
Warming weary bodies, and beckons family home.

Soon comes Greybeard, calm Sveitihús master
Proud tents arise near smith’s strong pyre
Edvjard carries in cask of dunkle draught
Dour clouds clear, Sól smiles down.

Horn barks clear, Hús calls back
Phelan, Runa, and Hrafn return to Ripplewood
Jarl’s mead to Aesir on standing stones
True blessings fall on these fair lands.

Next Malekith and Trenna, kitchen troops
Followed by friend Epona and little Belle
And Skjeldulvæ of great games and stout ales
Fill fall’s air with winding horns’ howl.

Bones of broken earth, Strength of the smith
Haft of owner’s hand, man’s axe made.
Built and bound, set on circled stones’ center
Given draught of Jarl’s drink, Twigbiter it is named.

Workers gather wood, gleaning stout boles
Some for sweats, others for projects
Skjeldulvæ swings new-named tool
Twigbiter misses mark, bringing First Blood.

Night is cold and clear, many make to bed
Cyrillis and Ragnar ramble in to darkened camp
Laughter, farces, and lies fly ‘round the fire
Then sleep finally falls on them all.

Rises sun on Frjádagr, revelers stir
Wood to be cut, to cook and build
Ulfred and Frederick find their way home
Kin of old times, let them come.

Shelter wrought of standing wood
Half-walled and covered in canvas
Three Norse tents now proudly stand
On path from range to ringed rocks.

Wood-turner wrought by Ulfred’s hand
It is stood and shown its worth
As Hús adzes bent bench
Long legs are wrought to hold heavy weight.

‘long comes Kolskeggr, a friend feared lost
Who is brought by Greybeard’s good word.
Wooden soldiers stood on worn path
Kubb calls people to laughing play.

Far-flung friends of old and new
Hear boasts from Hunker’s fearsome blocks
Sivart and Ava, Wilgar and Eir
Fresh blood brought to our fun tribe.

Music made ‘round fiery flames and rock
Strings and flutes, drums and song
Jens strides in as Ava says to Sivart
“I’ll do the blowing if you do the fingering”.

Finally Freya and Xarrmon arrive
Skjeldulvæ sends word – clever challenge wought!
Ferries Hús to range for rings to be had.
Baneful gourds grovel before the onslaught!

Shafts fly, fletching sparkles in the sun
Close misses, mocking faces cackle back
Then Ulfred’s first pile pierces the foe
Ring and wordfame wrought of borrowed bow.

Hús returns to hearth and fire
Skjeldulvæ speaks of tasks to do -
Die skarnbeir, pale draught of play
Sudsy foemen shall fly and fade.

Rocks put aglow with pyre’s rage
In Sveitihús set to warm cold walls
The second set, fair Runa follows
Along with others to rest and relax.

Laugardagr’s insistent light creeps into camp
Sleepers stir, breaking fast around Hól fire
Back to work, oven’s winter bed sundered
Cleverly wrought again, as walls and cover.

Phelan and Skjeldulvæ cavort through camp
On chariot wrought of camp work cart
Covering ground to cut tamed gourds
They spear and slice the punished pumpkins.

Sun slips low, yet laughter rings
As Skjeldulvæ announces Thorsgolf starting time
Kin at first tee as friend Kerryk arrives
Ready weapons to fly for wanted rings.

Three things you must master playing Thorsgolf
First drink, never spill, of fiery draught
Then toast to a god’s good grace
Toss true your weapon, and you may win.

Darkness falls around as fires dim
Friends follow the path to standing stones
Old year fails, dead friends draw near
On Samhuinn the souls come to call.

Smith strikes true in deepest dark
Sparks catch and glow in calm gloom
Firm breath brings forth first flame
Laid in tinder rack, hearth’s life returns.

Sunnudagr, Sean’s birthing day, dawns bright
Boy’s mother demands father’s return by dusk
All aid in thwarting Tova’s ire
Fast packing done, the Family sadly departs.


Fall RPP 2008, by Phelan Tolusmiđr