The World Tree

By brian francis

Hung as a sacrifice the wood held him tightly
His suffering accepted by his own word
spear pierced, his side, it flowed like a river
His life bleeding down into the well of Urd

Denied even water no hand could assist him
suffering alone he stared down into the well
as he sung to the runes tempting their visit
for nine days he suffered his own living hell

nine nights he stared; they deemed him worthy
revealing the magic of all the nine worlds
released he fell downward knowledge his power
raising him up the Valkyries wings unfurled

Copyright ©2020 brian francis

Author’s Note: been asked what the hell i’m writing about. so here it is– The norse god Odin sacrificed himself on the “world Tree” which grows out of the “well of Urd” his sacrifice was made to himself and it’s purpose was to learn the truths of the runes. In the end his actions where enough for him to learn the secrets of the runes thereby gaining the powers of magic over creation. did not mention in the poem that Odin at another time plucked his own eye out to gain wisdom.