Daily Rune poems - 30.01.2013.

The Old Norse Rune Poem

From Runic and Heroic Poems by Bruce Dickins

Fe

Wealth is a source of discord among kinsmen;

the wolf lives in the forest.

Ur

Dross comes from bad iron;

the reindeer often races over the frozen snow.

Thurs

Giant causes anguish to women;

misfortune makes few men cheerful.

As

Estuary is the way of most journeys;

but a scabbard is of swords.

Reidh

Riding is said to be the worst thing for horses;

Reginn forged the finest sword.

Kaun

Ulcer is fatal to children;

death makes a corpse pale.

Hagall

Hail is the coldest of grain;

Christ created the world of old.

Naudhr

Constraint gives scant choice;

a naked man is chilled by the frost.

Isa

Ice we call the broad bridge;

the blind man must be led.

Ar

Plenty is a boon to men;

I say that Frodi was generous.

Sol

Sun is the light of the world;

I bow to the divine decree.

Tyr

Tyr is a one-handed god;

often has the smith to blow.

Bjarkan

Birch has the greenest leaves of any shrub;

Loki was fortunate in his deceit.

Madhr

Man is an augmentation of the dust;

great is the claw of the hawk.

Logr

A waterfall is a River which falls from a mountain-side;

but ornaments are of gold.

Yr

Yew is the greenest of trees in winter;

it is wont to crackle when it burns.