The Old Man Said

Let me tell you a tale,
the old man said
As cold moon ascended
a tale of gods
of Odin All-Father
Loki Lie-Smith
and Thor Hammerholder
Ragnarok’s call

The night, freezing cold,
was dark and still
Flicking firelight
cast long shadows
The man began his chant
a chant of gods
The song of Ragnarok
the world’s ending

The night wore on, fire sank
the moon grew old
The man sang, steadily
passed his knowledge
The legends, the old tales
the tales of gods
Never be forgotten
‘till world’s ending

The night was all-silent
the night was cold
The howls of hunting wolves
were heard, distant
And moan of spiteful wind
rustled foliage
And thunder split the sky
Thor’s hammer-blows

The fire danced in the wind
jumping, joyful
As more wood was piled on
flickering high
Sparks biting into skin
strained to escape
Loki Firegod, laughing
through sown-up lips

Odin, far-wanderer
the charm-knower
Gallows-god, raven-lord
ash-hung, one-eyed
Laughed as the fire grew cold
and thunder ceased
Pulled his ragged cloak tight
and told his tale

Let me tell you a tale,
the old god said,
As cold moon sank again
a tale of gods
A tale of strength and might
cunning, legends
The song of Ragnarok
the world’s ending