Notes About The Poem
Odin begins as an obscured and changing presence in the past's records and gradually becomes vivid through the accumulated images of war, magic, poetry, sacrifice, prophecy, and death.
Where Runic Shadows Fall
A foremost god in elder lore,
Whose face was changed from shore to shore,
Through tangled tales and weathered stone,
His oldest shape remains unknown.
Tacitus named him Mercury
In writings from the Roman years;
Wednesday bears old Woden’s name,
A northern spark in Odin’s flame.
Though ancient rites are lost from sight,
His worship fades in veils of night,
Yet when the elder kingdoms fell,
The Northmen heard his summons well.
A war-god clothed in storm and flame,
He guarded warriors, death, and fame;
With wolf and raven at his side,
He watched the slain where heroes died.
On Sleipnir’s eight swift legs he rode
Through cloud and wave, through frost and road;
The storm-wind streamed behind his mane
As worlds flew past like sparks of rain.
He knew the spells that bind and break,
The hidden paths that gods forsake;
He gave the skalds their fire and breath,
And sought the wisdom past all death.
One-eyed wanderer, grey and tall,
He heard the raven’s midnight call;
He paid one eye for wisdom’s well,
Where Mimir’s deepest waters dwell.
Then saw the worlds no mortal sees
While ravens rode the northern breeze;
His spear was bright beneath the rain,
His cloak swept dark across the plain.
I walk beneath the iron sky
With battle’s red wind rushing by;
My blade is bright, my purpose still,
I climb toward the final hill.
When shields are split and banners torn,
And oaths are raised beneath the horn,
I’ll take my place where brave souls dwell,
Among the fallen, fighting well.
For I shall meet you, Odin, there,
Beyond the smoke and midnight air;
Where fires burn and mead is poured,
And heroes feast beside their lord.
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