Isa

Isa


Before life began all matter wove
With the lattice work of time. Then,
Moved and melted by Muspell fires -
ISA became Hoarfrost, mother of Ymir.
With Audumbla as Nursemaid,
(Since HAGALAZ makes for a bitter mother)
Ymir grew, while emergent Gods
Seeded the ground with green Laukan.
And yet, Isa remained: Sword of Norðri
Might of matter, and the Main of Time.
For all Runes are birthed from ISA
All Runes come from the single groove
Made by a Rune Carver's knife.
She is the Hatch, the slice, the sword mark
Upon the tender bark of the tree.
She is the force, the foundation, the essence
Of what moves in this Midgard world.
She is the Hamr’s skin, the warrior’s blade
Time’s unyielding glacier of decay.
She can engulf and trap,
Yet is a bridge to skate upon,
While weeping, she waits before Sunna’s fire.
She is the balm to the fevered and unrelenting mind.
She is the bane to the lazy and insolent.
She is the peace-bringer and entropy of all fires -
That burn in the hearts and mind of men.
And she can trap even the greatest of Gods
Who pause to slumber in her quiet Nifl fields.

- Christina Marvel