Litli-Hrútur

Litli-Hrútur Volcano; Reykjanes peninsula Iceland; July 2023

Now ancient fires from far below do breach

The hardened crust of scars upon the earth

Our hearts reveal their hidden secrets each.

Long it churned below and out of reach

So we forgot and gave ourselves to mirth;

Now ancient fires from far below do breach.

Although Baldur would face us and beseech,

We could not see the truth we sought was dearth;

Our hearts reveal their hidden secrets each.

Perhaps this pain to others we may teach,

To encourage when they their fears unearth—

Now ancient fires from far below do breach.

The broken strands we gather up and pleach,

To free ourselves from oaths at once bloodworth;

Our hearts reveal their hidden secrets each.

We shall upon ourselves take up new speech

As we face the terrors of our rebirth—

Now ancient fires from far below do breach,

Our hearts reveal their hidden secrets each.