Longship's Mast of The Past

Ode to past days when Longships of The Vikings ruled the seas

LONGSHIP’S MAST OF THE PAST

 

 

Let my spirit take flight to lands where is found the frozen fjord;

Where earth and sky bind ancient memories and dance in accord.

I hear the Norse wind urging me to swirl present with the past

To bring alive epic tales once spun 'round the Longship's mast.

 

The turbulent sea guides our kinship of memories shoreward

As dark shadows blot out warmth of sun moving bodies onward.

I am bound to oars and with each groan of ever swelling planks,

Known is the journey behind me and my place among the ranks.

 

The raven circles overhead as it follows in our wake.

I, a mighty shield maiden, embraces now just what’s at stake.

Our fleet is about to reach the wealthy, Christian, foreign shore.

Shield, axe, and sword at the ready I know what’s in store.

 

Anticipation of raging battle pulses through my veins.

When we win we ravage enemies’ riches for our coffer’s gains;

Such bounty seized gives us the power to capture even more.

Warriors sail, invade, and sack to even the bloody score.

 

In my soul I live again courageous days when war was king

And Odin ruled Valhalla where the dead in victory sing.

My genetic links to Viking eras past let me now feel

The music, vast seas, triumph and trek to Uppsala as real.

Sheila Bowyer Kline

Author's Note

The continued journey into discovering ancestors of my past has led me to The Vikings and those who ruled the great Northern seas for many centuries. The Longships were impressive feats of design and enabled them to navigate both open seas and shallow rivers which helped these brave adventurers win many a battle!

Reviews

[lessa (kenzie)]

Anticipation of raging battle pulses through my veins.
When we win we ravage enemies’ riches for our coffer’s gains;
Such bounty seized gives us the power to capture even more.
Warriors sail, invade, and sack to even the bloody score.

WOW!! I love this part, this is wonderful...
enjoyed the read

[Sheila Kline]

My ancestral journey has had an amazing impact on my life, and on my writing! The discoveries have been amazing, so it is my intent to share with others to encourage one to know your past, who your ancestors are!
I appreciate your review! Thank you!

[lessa (kenzie)]

i dug into mine, found out I'm Itallin, Irish, and dutch and german.. My 8th great grandma was the queen of England

[Robert Haigh]

Like you, I too have done much family research and built a family tree for my wife and myself. DNA tests say that my wife is 4% Swedish and Danish, and 3% Norwegian and Icelandic. It says that I am 5% Swedish and Danish. So we both have a trace of Viking blood in our veins. Your poem is both interesting and well crafted, Sheila. I enjoyed the read!

[Relic]

Your poems are just as good today as they ever were, Shiela. It's good to see you popping in. I hope you're doing well. :)

[Sheila Kline]

Thanks Tim!! I stop by every so often to find out what my friends are up to. I'm not writing as often now but am making videos for YouTube - they're fun and another positive outlet for creative ventures!!
Thanks for stopping by to review my poem! It's good to hear from you!!

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved the poem dear Sheila. I like myth and tales. The sea, the old Gods and journey. Would of been a grand adventure. Thank you for sharing the entertaining poetry.
Coyote

[Sheila Kline]

Oh, I enjoy the myths and tales too, especially those that speak of our past ancestors! And, yes what a grand adventure it would have been, so much so that I carry memory of those times within the spirit of me!!
We are who we are partially because of who they were!

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my friend. I do believe, real life can become myth and tale.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think in a past life I may have lived this...I feel it as I read this.
You are a wonder with this form...words so perfectly place into the rhythm and rhyme
of that most interesting time.
j.

[Sheila Kline]

What a wondrous way to relate to my humble words my friend!
I close my eyes, take a deep breath and go back in time to the days when our Viking ancestors were master of the seas; though they pillaged and were hungry for power, they held a certain presence that shall never be forgotten by this soul!
I am ever grateful when you take time to stop by my page and review one of my poems!

[barleygirl]

I haven't seen you here in a long time . . . I've been sketchy . . . and it's great to see you again becuz I'm so forgetful, I don't look for those I never see anymore! This is a well-written epic that brought all kinds of things to mind as I was reading. Of course I love your rhyme & rhythm, but also, I noticed that your line length reminds me of the long journey it is to travel by ship, almost as if you've got us bouncing along these long lines to journey your poem. Another thing is that you put me into the shoes of how it must've been when our world wasn't so over-connected. Now we can barely conceive of approaching an unknown shore & anticipating whatever possible hostilities might be awaiting us like invaders. This poem put me into these shoes & helped me feel how that must've felt. You are an amazing poet I haven't appreciated enuf here at the cafe (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Helena]

Superb write dear Sheila. Beautiful description, wonderful story. Very much enjoyed this.

Kind regards,
Helena

[Sheila Kline]

Please accept my apology for not thanking you for this review sooner than this day!! I've not been on The Cafe often enough to appreciate the gracious time given to comment about my humble scribblings! I am always grateful to have you stop by with a review!