A vision of life

Chapter 15: VIKING-THROES

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About This Book

A sequence of lyrical and visionary poems that probe human experience through nature, memory, and spiritual reflection. Imagery moves from intimate domestic details to wild and mythic landscapes while meters shift between compact lyrics and more elaborate, Elizabethan-influenced lines. recurring concerns include loss and consolation, the passage of time, faith and renewed hope, and occasional public or allegorical addresses. A reflective voice oscillates between melancholy and affirmation, transforming everyday objects and moments into metaphysical insight. The work favors careful reading to appreciate its subtle verbal music, disciplined metrical shaping, and layered symbolism.

VIKING-THROES

Life’s a Battle, full of stress,

Full of Change,

Struggle, Combat, Weariness,

Circling range—

Be limbs and heart sore heavy, yet

Foe on foe is set.

Give me fingers for the Fight

Keen and strong;

Give a Mind that swerves no mite

’Mid the Throng;

Beget me Valour, stiffly-grown,

Hewn to stand alone.

Grant such Virtue so to be

So to dare,

That tho’ all may faint or flee

—Howsoe’er

The Fight may turn—I yet shall stand

Firm in Eye and Hand.

Let some Purpose thro’ my tears

Gleam and glow,

Ah! let not the ruining Years,

Full of woe,

Engulf then in their dim embrace

That high spectral Grace.

Yet, all Boon of boons above,

This I crave,

Let a tender ample Love

My Spirit save

Forth from the harsh ungentle chains

Fight so oft attains.