Wonderful Surprises

This post diverts from the Runes this week, but sticks with one of the origins of the Runes magic - Norse Mythology.  You see, earlier this year, I entered a poem in the poetry contest of the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba (Islendingadagurinn).   On Friday, I received a letter (and prize) from the contest coordinator telling me that my poem took first place in the contest.

It may not seem like a very big contest to win, but for me it is huge.  More than fifteen years ago, I fell in love with Iceland and have spent much of my time since learning about every aspect of it that I can absorb (and I have only scratched the surface so far).  So, to have my poem, a poem that combines the country's physical history with its mythological one, recognized by that community is a great honor for me and I am very appreciative of this recognition.

This week, rather than share the Runes with you, I would like to share the poem.

Surtsey and the Battle Against the Fertility God

Born of explosions

Quaking ground

Njord floats all-around

His seas swelling

Rushing to a non-existent shore

The water boils

Heated by rage and fury

Fire, ash, lava

Shooting through the watery gate

Arise Surtr from the depths

Giant fire

You destroy fertility

In your wake

Nature, not violence

And, in time,

You fire dies

And you lie there

Frigid seas rolling

Around your waste

No life

Only rocks and ash

Life delivered by life

Seeds sprouting

Growing small, but green

And purple petals too

Surtr, you killed Freyr

But now, he is reborn

And grows

On your corpse

– Karen Paquin