{I wrote this, after reading Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, a retelling of the old Norse tales. One story is about a special mead, that, when you drink it, enables you to spout poetry.
This is called “tasting Odin’s gift” according to Gaiman’s story, “The Mead of Poets.” I could not help but remember that the word “Gift” in German means “poison”. So, that somewhat colors my interpretation, of whether the “gift” of poetry (or of drinking mead) is entirely a good thing.
It seems a shame, though, that a poet should drink alone, so I added some drinking buddies.
Also referenced in the poem is another story from the book: “The Last Days of Loki.” Loki, a Norse god, who is crafty and shape-shifting, changes into a salmon, and hides in a pool from Odin and Thor and Kvasir, who are after him. This is also an origin story about the use of nets for catching fish.
It seems to me that poets have a lot in common with Loki, shape-shifting and clever and slippery and charming and often, diabolical, as he is. So this is my ode to those, that taste Odin’s gift.
Oh, and Happy Mother’s Day!}}
Curator of ashes
Catalog of dreams
Trafficking in splashes
Nipping at the seams
Forceful as a walleye
Freakish as a fool
Crafty as a salmon
Lurking in a pool
All-deserving Loki
Thunder-splitting Thor
Wise and one-eyed Odin
Busting down your door
With Norsemen, out carousing,
Absorbing worlds of men:
What panoplies of wonder
Come coursing through your pen.
Copyright 2019 Andrea LeDew
This reminds me of an old Russian saying which translates roughly as, “Devils lurk in quiet pools.” The meaning is similar to “Still waters run deep,” but more ominous and less predictable. Like Loki. Maybe all writers and artists have a little Loki in them. Troublemakers, the lot!
How interesting! The book is very entertaining, mainly thanks to Loki’s exploits and of course Neil Gaiman’s great writing.
I ended up reading the last few chapters aloud, with great comic effect, even though those chapters were mainly talking about the end of the world, “Ragnorak.” ?
The Norse gods seem very Oedipal –each with their own fatal flaw. Thanks for reading Brad!