Untitled Poem for Cynred and Gaerwen

Lady Thorfinna gra’feldr and Laird Colyne Stewart, Feb AS 37 (2003)

Bright glory of the northern sky

Reflects within the baron's eye.

His tired sword is in his grasp;

His hand to beating breast is clasped.

For four long years he's led the land

And marched across the Pennsic sand,

Kept kinsmen from the tygre's maw,

Small Badger, Cynred is the Claw.

The river's beauty flows for miles

Within the baroness's smile.

Her nimble fingers spinning wool

Her promise to the northland full

With open arms she's held the land

To all extended welcome's hand

Encouraged us in war or art

None doubt that Gaerwen's the Heart

Poet and artist was the thegn-  

At times of peace within his reign

With ringing hammer rough to feel

He poured blood's labour into steel.

Gentle voice raised song to air,

Pride in his folk large as the bear,

To make all feel they have a part;

He is a Claw, but too a Heart.  

Her banner flies like scarlet flame

And marches south with each campaign

As scout or archer bending bow

With bear's keen eye her arrow's go

In court and wartime just and fair

She fierce protector of the bear

By love and deed the people saw

A Heart she is, but too a Claw.

Now in the sunset of their reign

They know that naught was done in vain

The legacy will carry on

Long after they have come and gone

And now the thrones are filled anew

By ravens beating blood so blue,

With two new hearts and two new claws

glory to Septentria!