~ By
Courtesy of Others ~
Ravens Sup
Famous fighters
on the field gathered
to meet their foes,
mighty was their fury;
they shook their shields and swords pounded
raucous rivals
´til ravens sup.
Dawn at their backs,
daylight just breaking
Light fell on lines
of liege-men,
over the array
of oak-trees of battle,
glistening on spear
and glaive and helm.
As a river they rushed,
roaring like the sea.
The wave crashed
on a wall of men,
the shoreline held,
ships of Ullr
bent, not broken,
bowing the line.
Admired men
of might and main
Stained their steel
with slaughter´s hues.
Sword-glad soldiers withstood
the flood
Bravely until battling broke
their line.
Blades cleaved
bodies and clashed
Against wood.
The glorious warriors
Ceased not striking, sending to
Hel
Their foes before them. Falling and dying.
The reddened rye
ripened to spilling,
the grim harvest
grain of heroes,
their blood a blush
upon brown earth;
fallen fighters
with failed limbs.
Footsteps fall
on fields of corpses
As wind whips
its way around
Those left living
look for companions,
finding their friends who
feast with Odhinn.
©
Ron Rowand-White
Image: "After the Battle", © 2004 Christian N. St. Pierre, all rights reserved.
Used with permission. Artist´s
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