For The Duke Gyrth Oldcastle Memorial Smackdown, March 6, 2021
Written on the theme “Praise for ‘home,’ whatever that is for you,” set by Poeta Atlantiae Lady Talia de Morales
No home found I in my lord’s high hall
Among the warriors, men on their benches
Thanes and battlers haughty and bold
I set a smile and consider the mead-horn’s path with care
Honoring each without insult offered
For offense sparks barbs, then blades and blood
I watch my words and shield my thoughts
Vigilant guard in the glad-noised hall
No home discovered in my lord’s dwelling
Not in the bag of wool nor under unwashed pot
Not fallen behind the loom nor left burning at the hearth
Nor carried in sticky hand of a crying small child
If home is rest, respite and ease
Then I found it by the edge of the mere
Snow-bound, ice-rimmed silent and still
Gnarled tree roots dipped down into dark water
Serpents twist and coil sliding between them
I watch them but they want nothing from me
Black battle-swans are here but all is peace
They fly from my approach feathers like night
Croaking cry swallowed by snow
And they are beautiful to my eyes
Grey sky is silver in the surface of the mere
Polished mirror more marvelous than
Gifted arm-ring Glittering in the hall
It shows me a woman silent as the snow
Still as the mere-water staring back at me
She serves no-one; is served by no-one
Alone in this place of desolate peace
The scops sang out: The mere-wife is a monster