(from the myth of the God Freyr and Goddess Gerðr)
Freyr seated on the throne of Odin 1908 Frederic Lawrence
One night is long enough ǁ yet longer still are two;
how then shall I bear the agony of three?
Months have merrily passed ǁ quick flashes over
faster than half this desiring eve.*
Freyr, full of longing, laments
worlds made brighter by Gerðr
seemingly far from his reach
this cæsura separates the lovers
Envisioning divine coupling
of earth and sky bestow
peace and pleasure flowing
from union’s blessed purpose
He lives now into his destiny
to bathe in beauty’s light
he sets foot upon the path to Barri
nine nights hence embracing bliss
*from the Poetic Edda; the poem Skírnismál
for the dVerse Poet’s Form for All on love poetry (sorry I couldn’t manage a Somon tanka today but other talented poets did) here: http://dversepoets.com/2011/11/03/formforall-manyoshu-poetry-hosted-today-by-jane-kohut-bartels-lady-nyo/
Chromapoetica 
i like your symbolism
Thanks Zongrik, it’s easier with myths.
LOL!!!
Very mystical, the longing penetrates.
Thank you, Oceangirl.
I like these lines:
Envisioning divine coupling
of earth and sky bestow
peace and pleasure flowing
from union’s blessed purpose
I appreciate your lovely words ~
Thank you Heaven, those lines are related to the God and Goddess in their aspect fulfilling the creation myth.
Oh, Anna… this is divine. I especially like the first stanza!
The first stanza is an excerpt from the Codex Regius of the Poetic Edda, the poem is called Skírnismál which was written in the 13th century. Thanks Laurie, glad you enjoyed it.
Anna: Ah, this is stunning & has the ‘ring’ of classic poetry! I loved how the words flowed.
Thank you Mary for the lovely compliment.
hmm…nice…will have to look this myth up as i am unfamiliar with it…
If you look up either name you’ll find it, though sometimes Gerðr is anglicized as Gerd or Gerth. Thanks for the read.
Always great when the Edda comes out–and that passage is magical. Your following verses haunt with that picture of the god and goddess(or giantess) larger than life as is the yearning of all lovers, which enlarges our own life to myth. Wasn’t Freyr the one who had the magical boar? I love the last stanza–‘he lives now into his destiny…” very bardic in tone and feel. Excellent walk down the mythic path, Anna.
Yes, he did have a boar, can’t remember if it had a name! You get the big gold star for the day :). I was very loosely writing in the alliterative style – yes, when I read the passage and saw Claudia’s hint about the prompt I thought I’d hit on something. Thank you for your always interesting comments.
Oh, and I took some liberties in the opening stanza too that some scholar will likely deplore :). Good thing scholars never read my poetry.
Anna, beautiful piece. I’ve always found this particular myth story to be very interesting. There are different interpretations, depending on where you look, but the main storyline is pretty consistent. When ever I find pieces that vary ever so slightly I usually go with which version I like best, I know not very methodical but anyhow:)
What I like about the myth is how love is displayed through so many filters:
First, Freyr is the product of incest. Which you would think was fairly common, as odd as that sounds today, back in that time, but nevertheless it plays into the psychological aspect surrounding this man and what lengths he’ll go to for Love.
Second, You can take the psychological aspect a bit further, as the Gods were never what I would call the greatest of parents. Cold, and purpose serving. But nonetheless a parent-child connection exists, despite what that relationship does to the future endeavors of the child.
Third, Freyr sees his love through “illegal” means. He’s not suppose to sit in Odin’s seat, let look upon the universe as the mightiest. Despite his standing and rank it is still interesting to notice how even then the notation is made that love enters the mind when it feels like, often in times you aren’t expecting, times where you perhaps are caught off guard
Fourth, Geror is a giant, so you have a bit of the Tristan y Isolde, Romeo y Juliet thing going there but only in terms of breaching lines of house. Geror refused Freyr’s advances on multiple attempts.
It’s also interesting that the whole “courtship” process was done via a servant. If that’s not a bit of ego stroking I don’t know what is. I get that Freyr is Vanir, and that he’s worshipped for his connections to multiple realms, but also in terms of fertilization, but really as common practice as middelmen was back then, it is one of those disconnects in today’s vision that comes off as rather arrogant, regardless of initial intent.
Finally, Freyr, A well-off God gives in to his “love” It really is a hard concept to process that a God would barter. Pillage and take what heart desires is more like, but he bartered for her. And he gave up his Sword, which would wind up playing a major role in his demise. Died for love indeed.
I love the fact you used the time leading up to consummation shared with his “love” and how bliss was already experienced. Wonderful thought there, which I truly believe in.
This is great work. Myth stories are some of my favorites and the Norse just happens to be my favorite set of tales. I’ve written quite a bit about myth and the Norse myself, even created characters as if they walked besides these mighty Gods themselves. Your treatment is perfect in the sigh it offers, sweetness that just seems to emanate off the breath. You could have written another five stanzas, which I probably would have because It’s kind of what i do-lol, but even then you would’ve said little more than what you were able to right here.
Anyhow, thanks, was definitely a nice Birthday gift:)
Well, I’ve already given out the gold star for the day, guess you’ll have to get a platinum one :). Happy Birthday! Generally I would have written much more too but I was trying to stick to the style of the times. Also, in the prompt we were encouraged to be brief, always a challenge for me. Thank you for spinning out the multivalent meanings contained within the myth, part of why they’re potent. I thoroughly enjoyed your fascinating comment.
happy birthday hobgoblin. yes i think love is very much a feeling which resonates in the empty spaces. it is a lovely tender moment in a sad tale if he had to trade his sword and therefore die. i hope they had a happy life. does the grove of tranquil paths feature in any other myths?
In a way Janet, all love stories end in death, it’s all a matter of when and whether the death of love happens before actual death. I don’t think Barri (the grove of tranquil paths) figures in any other myths.
Has a wonderful epic feel. You really capture the tone of the myth. K.
Thank you, that’s a very kind compliment.
Tanka, choka or not…this is stunning. I am not familiar with the mythology here, but it certainly entices.
thank you, Anna. This is lovely.
Lady Nyo
Thank you Lady Nyo, for your excellent post and kind compliment. Short poetry is very challenging for me so I value your feedback!
So much has been expressed already, so I shall just say ‘this is lovely’ & that I found the last stanza especially poignant & moving
‘He lives now into his destiny
to bathe in beauty’s light
he sets foot upon the path to Barri
nine nights hence embracing bliss’
Thank you kindly, yes, these mythic tales certainly speak through the centuries!
This is a poetic vase of beautiful blooms. Very well done. A lil different, tamed, but extremely enjoyed by this reader. It reads so well. Great images. And always love ur words.
http://henryclemmons.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/toukon-the-fighting-spirit/
Thank you Henry, it is a little different, the article I read on this style used words like ‘terse’ which is a stylistic challenge for me. I look forward to reading your poem and appreciate your enthusiasm.
Even gods and goddesses yearn! See, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be! 🙂
Yes, no one is immune to the tortures, I mean charms, of love :).
always enjoying when you weave myths into your poems – have to look up the story..think i know it back from school but the details escaped me…love the lines with the blessings flowing from fulfilled love…think that’s how it is..not only in myths when it’s about sky and earth but also when it comes to us
Thank you Claudia, this is a lovely comment. I always appreciate your visits.
Anna – This was an education. Must admit Norse mythology is only known to be a little through Wagner’s operas. But then I disregard the libretto and listen to the music. There are big chunks of literary information missing in my education but thank to all of you I am coming to it “better late than never”. So…I learned more than anything else through your work and the following comments.
Nevertheless, the poem has a universal arc. So many people don’t quite know how to love, are awkward and inept; they may have a distant relationship with parents, or born to people who don’t hug, hold, cuddle or even touch; then, the need of one person to another becomes difficult for them to manifest when they find a person they care about. I found all that understanding in your short piece. Also kudos to you for trying this condensing form of poetry. We do have to force our thoughts to precision in this kind of writing and you did it very well. Thank you!
Thank you Gay, glad as always to share knowledge, I know I learn so much from you. Deep wounding is always a barrier to love as you’ve so eloquently elaborated. For me, I continue to be open to life even when it frightens me or requires painful growth. I appreciate your time and care in reading and commenting. Thank you for all you do at dVerse to bring us these wonderful prompts.
Love your closing (particularly the last line) and the alliteration of B’s and N’s:
“he sets foot upon the path to Barri
nine nights hence embracing bliss”
Thank you, alliteration is big in this type of verse. I’ll be round to read your poem soon.
These lines are simply beautiful…
“Envisioning divine coupling
of earth and sky bestow”
I love the symbolism in this poem.
Thank you Suzy Q, those are my favorite lines too.
when you weave myth in poetry, the piece becomes deep.
a job well done.
😉
Thank you, that’s very kind.