Hail to you of the far-off red eye
shining brightly in the steam of summer nights.

They say that He of the One Eye
gave his other for wisdom at a well.

Hail to you of both eyes brilliant,
for you were wise enough to keep two eyes.

It is the redness of keen vision,
the knowing squint, the wink of recognition.

It is the crimson strain of sleepless nights
and the irritation of poisonous eye-drops.

It is the scarlet-hued rouge powder
of one who knows the lives of many genders.

It is the bloodshot head-rush of laughter
that brings a blush to every cheek.

It is the hot-headed rage, sparking conflagrations
that boils, ready to explode, whenever…

Fire like the pulsing thrum of the earth,
blood like lava, smolders in your stare.

A flame as unpredictable and molten
erupts at the touch of your hand or gaze.

It is the inferno-tongue of your two eyes
at so great a distance that flashes such fire

across the expanse of space and nine worlds,
to appear singular, o divine and devious one–Loki, hail to you!

Artwork by Grace Palmer, from the Giants' Tarot.