20180131.0430

So spurred, Owran’s force did advance
To join in the corps-a-corps dance,
Came up to the town
And bade it stand down,
Claiming that it stood no chance.

20180130.0430

He noted the leader they served
Would think that their deaths were deserved,
That those who would flee
Should die so all’d see
That alone, victory preserved.

20180129.0430

What befell his forces and Stan
Was seen from afar by Owran,
And when fleeing force
Got to his, his recourse
Was to kill each one by his own hand.

20180128.0430

Those who would go, she let go.
In doing so, she’d others show
She had no ill will,
Did not seek to kill,
But to attack gave a firm “No.”

20180127.0430

The other Scald-folk thought to flee,
Knowing none would hear their plea
For mercy for deeds
That no tellings need
Save that they were what none should see.

20180126.0430

Seeing their leader thus done,
The band thought how she had begun,
And most laid down arms
To avoid the harms
The town threatened through show of one.

20180125.0430

Only when Stan on the ground
Lay still did she cease to pound,
A hammer to steel.
She had brought to heel
The first Scald-man that she had found.

20180124.0430

On Stan, a hailstorm of blows rained,
And each fall of fist him much pained,
And on the troop looked,
And her assault shook
Resolve, so they from her refrained.

20180123.0430

He did not from that a lesson learn,
And back again he made to turn,
But seeing the motion,
She came like an ocean
Of fire does, dry wood to burn.

20180122.0430

Without a word, he made attack,
Thinking that she did skill lack.
With quick strike and juke,
She offered rebuke,
And towards his troop she sent Stan back.

20180121.0430

Erdewyn soon forward strode
And planted herself in the road.
Stan called for a halt.
He then, to his fault,
Swiftly towards Erdewyn trode.

20180120.0430

Erdewyn spied their approach,
Knew she would have to reproach
The oncoming band,
Knew she’d have to stand
Alone to their ill intent broach.

20180119.0430

At the head of the troop, he advanced
In glee such that he might have danced
Were matters less ill
Than the Scald things would will--
Or as they’d soon for him had chanced.

20180118.0430

However it was with the Scald,
The leader who by Stan was called
Advanced towards his prey,
Meant to claim the day
And meant to leave his peers quite galled.

20180117.0430

And it is often the way
That killers skilled their leaders slay
Their places to seize.
As dust in the breeze
Are loyalty pledges they say.

20180116.0430

Yet if the Scald’s leader had doubt
Of loyalty, that one was without
Concern for the skill
In making the kill
The one held who held the redoubt.

20180115.0430

Of that part of the Scald left behind,
The commander must be kept in mind.
One holds in some trust
They into danger thrust;
What then by retention is signed?

20180114.0430

The leaders of each band were these,
Named as befits their degrees:
The first, they called Stan,
The second, Owran,
And the third was called Þurn of the Trees.

20180113.0430

The third band advanced from the south,
The gullet for other bands’ mouth,
Stood before the corps
That was mentioned before,
And ensured for hope’s rain a drought.

20180112.0430

The second band formed in the west,
As its lieutenant had thought best
To break all the defense
And prompt a flight thence
At day’s end, a thought that they’d test.

20180111.0430

The first band formed up in the east,
And its leading lieutenant was least
Likely to fail
And most to prevail
At making resistance to cease.

20180110.0430

The Scald split apart into bands,
Each into one lieutenant’s hands
Save for one corps
That numbered five score
That stayed at the leader’s demands.

20180109.0430

Eight years ago today, I married the woman of my dreams--then and now. Then, as now, I was struck by her beauty and her goodness, as well as her willingness--even eagerness--to join her life to mine and allow me into hers. Then, as now, I was humbled by it and pushed to be a better person because of it. Then, as now, I was happy because I had her with me--happy as I had not been before.

So, although I say it daily and more, and although I do everything I can to show the truth of it in addition, I say this now again and before all who will hear it:

I love you, Sonya!

Happy anniversary!

May we have many more!

20180108.0430

Such now moved against the town
Where Erdewyn had some renown
And, once, her master,
Old Oðoæster,
Had decided he would settle down.

20180107.0430

So was it that the Scald was feared
By all of the places it neared.
That, and because
The Scald’s practice was
To leave the towns behind it seared.

20180106.0430

Because the Scald’s leader had done
Such a thing, and made to run
An invading force,
That one chose a course
Different than the Scald had begun.

20180105.0430

Once, it had happened before
That the Scald went in, sure of its score
And was put to rout,
Fled to redoubt,
And there, the leader had taken o’er.

20180104.0430

Their leader, the Scald would not send
To bring the town’s best to an end.
Their leader did know
To keep more than show
And against off chance to defend.

20180103.0430

What’s more, the town’s spirits they’d break
Before they’d all of value take,
Calling for the best
There to meet their test,
And thirsty dirt with blood they’d slake.

20180102.0430

They would encircle the town;
They had force enough to surround
The whole of the place
And command the whole space
Before they would burn the thing down.

20180101.0001

Now, once again has come Hangover Day,
And many are feeling the urge to pray
To the Porcelain God, for their pain to allay,
But I do not suffer on Hangover Day.

I've been to the parties, and I've paid the price.
Now I go no more, and I find it nice
To not have to feel that my head's in a vice.
For me, the day will likely pass in a trice.

I do not begrudge those who will go out
And, driven by drink, cavort, smile, and shout,
But that is not for me; of that, I've no doubt.
I face Hangover Day far from in rout.