Hot Iron

“Their Name Means ‘Hot Iron’”

Story of old, often and forever we have told,

Steady swing bold, hammers of steel with ash handles strong.

Like thunder rolled, tong hot iron to anvil and fold,

With hearts of gold, dead men walking sing their battle song!

Lord of Dragons, teach us tonight our ancient, proud name,

Many pardons, the hard lessons that make a great man.

Where has truth gone? Know true it is not the rights he’ll claim…

Falsehood move on! It’s but the duties he’ll understand!

All folk know well, the measure of a man’s his mettle,

From where he fell, when he finds his back’s against the wall!

Ladies know this well: for less than such as him don’t settle,

Ring bonding bell, if he will answer his people’s call!

Listen you’ll hear, this simple name means “battle ready,”

Remember dear, before anymore memories fade.

Gather ye near, let me sing of why his hand is steady,

Listen now clear, know now well how our heroes are made!

A baby’s born, all of the clan and kin raise the child,

Our colors worn, from each in turn he will learn their skill.

To task each morn, timid steps to journeys in the wild,

Judge not with scorn, we must find out if they have the will!

Handed a tool. He will see hot iron is the way,

Taught a rule, when building a keep of hand hewn stone.

Life is his school, growing stronger from the long hard day,

Work is not cruel, come together or stand alone!

When the snow falls, long winters spent carving story wood,

Inside the walls, working careful, learning by stages.

Come Elder’s calls, he will labor for the common good,

Mucking the stalls, prepare for travels and voyages!

Shuttle and thread, brings together fate with the weaver,

Grain into bread, stokes ovens keeping the people fed.

Hogs he has bled, his toils will make him a believer,

No time for bed, years spent following those who have led.

Pump the bellows, days endless of black smoke and fire,

The way it goes, ev’ry person, ev’ry thing its place.

Speak not of woes, showing all that he will never tire,

As the wind blows, lines of wisdom adorn his young face.

Any day - night! - he will tend sick or lame, any plea,

He serves the Light, years of service, growing tall and proud.

Ready to fight, in time he will return from the sea,

To taste love’s bite, his heart broken, he roars long and loud!

Now is the time, a child now grown tall he shall spill blood,

Mountain to climb, he has all he needs to craft his spear.

Sun melts the rime, all he has become sunk deep in mud,

The stars align, knowledge he needs driven home with fear!

Comes now the rain, his innocent soul shakes like thunder,

His name to gain, between home and a Wolf at the door.

Fury insane, the last of his youth torn asunder,

An intense pain, his grip tightens; he will cry no more!

Death in his hand, the iron is hot - strike first, strike fast!

Make this kill grand, destiny wove well this dark beast’s lunge.

Defends his land, it’s his finest moment, not his last,

This was not planned, yet he stands, he rose to the challenge!

His flesh teeth rip, without doubt invited to Death’s dance,

Rowan shaft grip, to this place now and forever bound.

His foot will slip, and his attack… the hit but a glance,

Comes another nip, through burning terror he holds his ground!

The moment slows, the Beast and the man prepare to strike,

His courage grows, comes the time for what needs to be done.

Body’s strength flows, firmly his sure hands gripping the pike,

Come now the crows, the Beast’s heart pierced; the man he has won!

Rest and a meal, hide over shoulders draped, he heads for home,

So turns the wheel, like those before him performed the feat.

Pride he will feel, the time has come - he’ll no loner roam!

Joyous shouts real, his return with great acclaim they’ll greet!

Celebrate? Must! The ladies of great names ask to dance,

Not seeking lust; bright, soft warmth guarding against the chill.

Finding trust, a challenge well met with a different lance,

Never to rust, this partner will life’s demands fulfill!

Fierce waves of pain, marks imminent arrival on Earth,

Light seems to wane, in this battle he’s the one to wait.

Time becomes insane, she struggles with pure strength to give birth,

Life grows from rain, now three together will meet their fate!

Warm in the sun, children listen all dark winter long,

Second to none, his words burning fire against night’s cold.

With them he’ll run, this spring he will teach them each the song,

Bring the hot iron, ‘tis time to hear fam’ly stories told!

-- J.R.H.