A yawning void once met flame and frost, From primeval giant’s body the world was formed — A cow licked salt-stone free, and gods rose from ice, The gods kindled halls and bound the fields with gifts.
Odin hung on the world-tree, nine nights seeking the runes, He drank from Mimir’s well and learned deep sight. He gave an eye and cast off sleep to know fate’s woven line, Thought and memory sat on his shoulder, whispering wisdom.
The Norns weave destiny by the well of fate, We taste the cold river of the dead — the pale draught of shadow.
Raise the horn to the burning rainbow bridge, Valkyries carry the fallen to the feast-hall, From fjord-side woods to heaven’s roof where giants clash, We travel the twilight road until the world’s end.
Freyr’s golden boar tends the fertile fields, Freyja’s tears bought a ransom with seer’s sorrow, Sleipnir’s eight hooves thunder as Odin’s steed rides far, Skalds sing of Sigurd’s dragon-slaying, ring-gifts and fire-scars.
Fenrir the wolf will snap his fetters, Jormungandr, the sea-serpent, encircles the wide waters, Surt of the fire-realm lifts his blazing sword, Ragnarök’s flame will consume plain and salt-night.
Baldr’s light fell to a mistletoe’s pale wound, Hod’s hand, Loki’s cunning, brought grief, Hel rules the cold hall where shadow-kings hold court, Those not chosen by Valkyries walk the quiet earth.
Seeresses weave fog-spells, chant voices split the night, Rune-staves cut in blood and salt — destiny’s iron marks.
Raise the horn to the burning rainbow bridge, Valkyries carry the fallen to the feast-hall, From the yawning void to the ash-field where hammers were cast, We carve our names in runes the saga’s shadow endures.
Hear the lays of ring-givers bound to fate and sworn law, Sigurd cut Fafnir’s throat; Brynhild’s pyre watched the blaze, Mead fills the tongue with endless tale, We bind oaths with gold and iron the warrior’s heart holds.
When the world-tree trembles and new leaves break the ash’s skin, Life and Lifthrasir rise where the serpent’s sleep once was, A new sun shines and the old songs begin again.
Heathen_AJ
