How Divine
{An Umbrella Special Feature}


Juleigh Howard-Hobson’s

work has appeared in The Barefoot Muse, The Raintown Review, The Runestone Journal (of which she is also the editor), Odin’s Gift, and many other places.

Her chapbook, Sommer and Other Poems, was reviewed in the recent issue of Runa Magazine. She is currently nominated for both The Pushcart Prize and The Best of The Net for her poetry. She follows the Northern Tradition.


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Troth Magic

With horn and gand the harrow’s set
The old ways we shall not forget;
For magic is as magic does—
Always to be and always was.

“Al-u Al-u Al-u” our call
We load the mead and charge the stall
We rede, we work, we will our main
To Woden, Freya—Aesir, Wane.


[first appeared in Idunna;  reprinted: Odin’s Gift; Sommer and Other Poems]

 

John Barleycorn A version

The fields are bare, the grain piled high,
The last stout sheaf of wheat stands still.
“John Barleycorn dies now!” we cry.
We thrust the sickle, and we kill
The body of John Barleycorn.
And now we take his spirit in
Safe sheltered in this sheaf we’ve borne
And now we will take care of him
In our warm walls, all winter long.
Next spring we will return him here
After the snow, so that the corn
Will know that growing time is near.
We’ll see our John again, reborn.


[first appeared in Sommer and Other Poems]

 
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