sing, oh heroes
all you here
around this pyre.

sing now,
shivering glorious
sea drunk and battle hardened from these years
these strange flowing years
that have not killed us.

sing yes,
though we will die
we are not dead.
‍
the seasons and the sea have not yet collected us
though we venture in them
    plunging into the dark waves
    with eels and dragons
    with strange suns and waning moon
    with the bite of cold
    signalling to us with deep knowing way.
    sing.

this pyre before us
is not today for us—
it burns solstice time,
it bathes us in ash of a once mighty tree,
a ghost joining our wild spirit
living on in the clear eyes
and sinews
and strengths gathered here now.
we receive.

so breathe—
wade into the cold
away from home and the known.
‍
breathe
the allway invitation of the ocean
breathe
new shores and new ways
breathe
a new light in a new time.
receive now here.

touch your hand to the ground,
you will know.
‍
spread your toes in the sand,
you will hear.
‍
feel the flame of this dawn fire
so you will burn.

sing yes,
with all breath
sing yes.

12/12/21 - for the Vikings