Neville is a wonderful man, both parties said in a gushy way
He can meet you at the coffee shop nearly any old day
I was not ready to date, and made excuses, one after another
These friends were quite pushy, more than my godmother.
Six months later I agreed to meet this virtuous man.
He is a Viking, but he won’t tell you this, said my old Gran.
He did not have to tell me. His attire spoke for itself.
He was wearing enough armor to line a long shelf.
His beard was enormous, and he had a helmet with horns, two.
His war paint, metal cuffs and a copper shield were a tip off too.
If he is hiding the fact he is a Viking, he is not doing a good job.
We had one thing in common, we both have a neighbor named Bob.
burning sea dragon
viking kings funeral pyre
mourners watch from shore
Fehu bestoweth golden hope
Uruz doth endure battles through strength
Thurisaz provoketh strife and guardeth my rose
Whilst Anuz communicates with divine length
Raidho pursueth journeys of measured rhythm
Kenaz illuminates creative spiritual knowledge
Gebo granteth gifts as infinitum
As Wunjo doth harness harmony in a college
Hagalaz transformeth with tempests and chaos
Nauthiz, by resistance, takes constraint
Isa blossoms in stillness, as iciness plays on
Yet, Jera rewardeth cycles of harvest in haste
Eihwaz endureth death, resilience, and rebirth
Perthro revealeth mystery and knowledge
Algiz defendeth with steadfast and mighty girth
So, Sowilo shineth in sunny sparks of voltage
Tiwaz upholdeth justice, making a leader
Berkano bringeth fertility with new beginnings
Ehwaz uniteth partners and team seekers
For Mannaz exalteth communal incentives
Laguz floweth as a stream to raise intuition
Ingwaz concealeth fertile power and energy
Dagaz breaketh visions from night imprisoned
Whilst Othala preserveth heritage in memories
May Mjölnir's might strengthen you.
May your thoughts flow from Runic streams.
May your chosen path feel miraculous,
And may the northern winds uplift you,
So that Yggdrasil fills you with kindness!
May Frigg ignite your divine visions!
May Freyja summon fertile dreams.
May Magical Mead pour freely from above,
Letting your courage lead to valorous action!
Walk the forest's path, where unique trees and flora thrive.
Listen to the wildlife 'round the trees.
Meet your inspirational animals,
And live boldly as one who ventures forth with courage,
Allowing the vines and flowers to entice you---
That they may be your good companions.
I no longer trust the flowers of dessert mirages.
For years, Vikings have read mystical Runes.
They once soared forth in golden carriages.
Now every dawn returns their dreamy tunes.
A faery, I remain in vibrant flight.
A mystic born with Stardust and Cosmos.
My flight dreams transcend the mind's starry night
To realms where big truths and visions arise.
Handfasted once beneath the ancient Oak
Amid unwinding breaths of whispered wind,
Now freed to ride the cosmic tides evoked,
Ascending where the Celestials began.
No human heart knows where I am flying
With defiant fantasies unflinching.
Took sail with a north-easterly wind did the Nords
From the glaciated valleys and narrow steep fjords
A sea voyage away by chance three lands found
Norsemen have come to claim their ground
Dragon-headed prows, ships with wooden oars
Centuries before famous lauded explorers
A Vikings roaring soul was the longboat Drakkar
Thru misty waters and unintruded shores afar
The land was calm—no frost in winter
Wild wilderness and little did the grass wither
What’s green is ice and what’s ice is green
Named in contrast so the truth be unseen
So not to make it sound it’s to one’s liking
This is the legacy of the brash hardy breed Viking
The sagas of the Icelanders—Edda
Old Norse óðr poetry of how they discovered America
Loving lips soft and wet
I want to feel your tenderness
And your kiss is my red wine
Give me a sip if only in mind
You must exist for I am here
And I keep dreaming of you dear
Fantasy of brown masculinity
Invading my dreams like a Viking
Vikings in their sailing ships.
The ocean is their home.
Another of their ”buisiness” trips.
To new lands they will roam.
Hoist the sails, pull the oars.
Hone the axe and knife.
Brand new places to explore.
They love the viking life.
And it’s hey! Ho! Away they go!
O’er the horizon and gone.
The tide will ebb, the tide will flow.
Still, they sail on...
Vikings on their vessels true
Under cloudless skies.
The lookout cries, “Land in view!”
Sleepy sailors rise.
Beach the boat, jump ashore.
The village, yonder, waits.
Then say a thankful prayer to Thor.
The viking life is great!
And it’s hey! Ho! Away they go!
O’er the horizon and gone.
The tide will ebb, the tide will flow.
Still, they sail on...
But it is not all games and fun.
The captain can be a jerk.
But after all is said and done
They still love their work!
And it’s hey! Ho! Away they go!
O’er the horizon and gone.
The tide will ebb, the tide will flow.
Still, they sail on...
You should see the Vikings fan at Christmas I was told!
The crazy guy they pointed out was wearing horns of gold.
On each horn this October was perched a jack-o-lantern too.
I wondered if on the 4th of July he wears red, white and blue.
The Last Viking
There had been a storm, that uprooted
an old oak that exposed a gave
the grave of the last Viking, a rusty
sword beside him its grip was made
fallen stars, he had been a chieftain
When everybody had gone home for tea
the Viking checked his body
he was a skeleton and nude about it
In a workman's hut, he found
an overall and boots
The last one to say him was outside
a lingerie shop was an elderly lady
she thought he was trying to masturbate
who can blame him after being dead
for 500 years, he probably lacked
this fleshy part.
At a museum in the Island-Man, I saw
the thumb of a Viking in a glass cage
surrounded by jewelry that ladies wore
at the time
A terrible destiny, fighting and dying
for a cause long forgotten
only to end up with his thumb on display
My jowls are large
They make me look glum
I am not though
Said Viking Dog Hum
Where did you get your helmet?
Asked an inquisitive cat
I was born with it on
What do you think of that?
Born With Stone-Chips In My Ancient Viking Blood
I stand against the world and its most evil wrongs
Born with stone-chips in my ancient Viking blood
My greatest heroes immortalized in great songs
As they eliminated those of barbaric crude
All had magical shields and a flaming hot sword
Words given to them by higher power beings
Enough victorious battles as not to be bored
And illumination from Heaven for their seeing
Achilles hero, was one of greater fable fame
His life was destined to die as a brave man
All of this world has now learned his noted name
So many more heroes had such amazing plans
Life is so massive, history tells not the all
Vast armies of such evil dastardly ruffians
Marched, destroy innocent people at last call
Only to be stopped by brave feats of Christians.
Robert J. Lindley, 6-20-2023
16 verse sonnet
Note- I have both Viking and Native American blood in my veins.
Each had fantastic warriors of great renown. And there is German, Irish,
English, Danish blood too....And Scotish blood too....
The Viking God Thor On His First Great Battle
No, you do not, no sir not in this fight
My honor demands I fight you to death
You are Lord of Darkness, I Lord of Light
You will surely lose, so save your last breath
Your stabs were all wrong, had not real effect
I spit on you and your black-monster ways
My oath, my duty I dare not neglect
My job is one to make you truly pay
You will taste the might of my mighty pen
And I swear you monster must die today
I cut you beast, right out of your dark skin
Your imps are chained in your ghastly lair
All of your hiding trolls will my sword taste
Go ahead cry and moan I do not care
World celebrates your death, what a big waste
I go now back to my great Vahalla throne
A party this day, we celebrate you
Now that your evil has been overthrown
Dark beasts of your land justice overdue.
Robert J. Lindley, Feb. 7th 1985. edit Sept. 25th 1999
Viking ship glided into the port at two in the morning
The sailors had slept through it, snoring was heard by fish
Aurora Borealis was flashing lavender blue and green lights
A show no human saw that evening, as everyone was sleeping
There were no sounds of oars dipping into the water.
Norway was silent, as were the woods and the ship.
The men slept as soundly as any army ever had.
Morning would be soon enough to start the celebration.
Some had not returned, which is always sad.
Especially when they left behind a young sweetheart.
Or left behind a loving wife with three little Norwegians.
The silent ship drifted in under the smile of Aurora Borealis.
lean ships run
each stroke more
driving them ever
nearer shore
almost silent
in the night
sudden appearance
adding to fright
shield and axe rest
ready to taste to the full
hot red blood sunk
in body buried in skull
grating keels
in the sand
sliding on
to alien land
battles cries
battle screams
pierce the night
enter dreams
too late to save
men half asleep
women endure
and later weep
another round
in the game
another raid
in odin’s name
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