Having reached at last the end of 2014, the skald and his lady enjoyed two Icelandic New Year’s traditions — the bonfires and fireworks. Then Eirik composed this ríma in the ferskeytt meter:

Mighty bonfire, burning fierce
brightly will shine, searing.
Deep it will the darkness pierce,
undimmed things appearing.

Glögg, cookies, and carefree talk
carry an hour timely;
pass this eve, with partner walk,
prowl the town sublimely.

Flying quickly, fireworks bright
fill the dark that’s cloudy.
Chipper crowd on cheerful night
is chill and not rowdy.

Copyright © 2015 Eirik Westcoat.
All rights reserved.