Homage to Heimdall

by B. Skammrson

The cleft doors of Himinbjorg clatter,
the clamour raising ravens to the clouds.
Where Gulltopr once wandered, grazing,
the weeds now wave in sorrowed winds.

Where the Watchman of the Aesir once
witnessed all who walked the rainbow bridge,
now only spiders, in their spun homes,
spread across the lonely, wasted spans

Sentinel with the shadowless sight,
in sun or starlight you saw with ease.
Herald with the honed, peerless hearing,
you heard the rustle of the hay growing.

For ages you kept giants from gods,
until you blew on Gjallarhorn one last time,
forecasting the final battle, fearless,
in the face of the seered last fight.

Heimdallr, god of light, leader of men,
long you battled Loki, only to fall at last.
Know you, some of us still listen sometimes
for the soft call of the worlds-end horn.

Artwork by Piotr.