[Toraerie] Words of Wisdom and Poetry

[Eyja Bassadottir]

A while ago there was an idea about creating a Wisdom/tip page on the Tor
Aerie list so that some things wouldn't be forgotten.  Not like stuff that's
easily found on the web, but little tips about, say, being an officer.  3-5
things to say about being a seneschal and stuff.  There were a few
suggestions battered around and Lea put them up on the website, (
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~sca/wisdoms.html ) but it definitely needs to be
fleshed out and now that the event is over, and perhaps we've learned a few
things, we could edit and add to what's there.


I'm also writing for some critique on a creative writing project I've been
working on that is directly related to the Wisdoms page.  As some of you
might know, I've been taking a lot of Scandinavian courses, with a lot of
Old Norse material, including the Poetic Edda.  Well, the first things
written down in most cultures were their wisdoms and those wisdoms were
always in poetry.  Why?  Because it makes it easier to remember.  Well, as
I've been studying a lot of these forms, and since there's these General
Wisdoms that are already up on the site, I decided that I'd try my hand at
Norse skaldic poetry with translating the wisdoms as my guide.  Tonight,
I've gotten my first draft done and I'm hoping for some critiques.  So, here
is my poetic skaldic version of the general tips.  Following will be a copy
of what's on the website, so if something is too obscure, you know what I
was *trying* to say.  Also at the end I'll explain the kennings found in the
introduction:

Here is foretold         for who follows
    in the Tower Tall:
Drink, my daughters,   the draughts of Mimir --
    goddesses of gold.
Stand, my sons,         with Odin's sight --
    seeds of Heimdall's sons.
Come to know now     knowledge of old
    of Officers full-gone.

1. Ne're before studies     should Society come.
    Nor should sorries speak     for living life.

 2. Cheer, like silver,    is cherished when spread
     but apathy shared    is like wood worm.

 3. Whether word-skilled or        silent in speech,
    the hand must know    where to strike the sword.
    Yet better still    for deadly strike
    the hand should know    where the heart is.

 4. Though the foot not know     the arm first-hand
    When falling, the hand     can help the foot.

 5. The rough sea's surface        drown many men
    Only the calm sea    can be sailed upon.

 6.The friendly folk         of blue fielded snow
    have memories long,    they're sure to know.

 7. When a guest abroad    best not to forget
    food is better    with plate and fork.


The kennings:
1. Draughts of Mimir refers to a Norse myth of the Well of Mimir, which is a
well of wisdom that Odin drank out of.  Mimir's decapitated head was also
often consulted by Odin when he needed council.

2.Goddesses of gold refers to women or girls.  There were many kennings that
associated women with wearing gold, and women were often associated with
goddesses as well.  The line might be better for the kenning with 'goddesses
bearing gold'?

3. Odin's sight is my attempt at invoking wisdom again.  Odin has been
around the block and has done some crazy things to get wisdom -- so his
sight, though not all-knowing, is well informed.

4. Heimdall's sons is a kenning referring to Man, and the seeds of men are
therefore the sons of men.

Tower Tall refers to our group, Tor Aerie
The friendly folk of blue fielded snow is a reference to the Nordskogen
heraldry: white snow flakes on a blue field.
http://www.nordskogen.northshield.org/nordskogen.gif


The original:

* Here is written,
for all those who may follow after,
wisdom from ages passed,
to keep alive those lessons learned,
so as these thoughts may not be forgotten
but can continue on in the minds
of our successors.*

1. Real life trumphs SCA.  This includes passing your classes.
2. Enthusiasm is contageous. So is apathy.
3. Communication = necessary. Clear communication = better.
4. Don't be afraid to ask for help. No, really. :-)
5. Don't panic.
6. If someone in Tor Aerie doesn't know, someone in the Barony probably
does.
7. If there's feast, you probably need feast gear.


Please, I'm interested in any thoughts!  Changes such as "hey, I don't think
that one should be on our page" is perfectly alright too.  We can still
change what's on there even if I've written a verse for it.  I can just make
a new one.


Holliga,
Eyja
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