Runes

I went a ship a-sailing
as yonder sea can tell.
I heard great hail stones hailing
into the sea by Bell.

Of runic secrets told they
that know the way through time
that see through bold unfolding
the birches’ rind and rhyme.

The branches are so many
and point in different way
but wise woman is kenny
and ken that go maun stay.

The seed and birch are twofold,
still are they both the one.
Through time and reaches meet they
in Odin’s moon and sun.

Fair lamps of heaven hang they
amongst star-studded stares.
Above earth’s creatures move they
unmoved by their affairs.

Stone-eyed and never failing
they shine, are shined upon.
For Odin some from heaven fell.
A rune he picked for every one.

1985