Laura Varnam

THE WOMAN'S LAMENT

(after the Old English)


To be loved and lauded,

they tell us

to be leohtmod, light-minded,

to be rumheort, big-hearted,

to keep their secrets, rune healdan,

to cheer their jaunts and capers.



But ic eom oflongad.

I am strung out with longing.



Temper-taut.

Over-stretched.



From what tight-corner shall I draw my courage?



HYGD (REFLECTION)

(Inspired by Queen Hygd in Beowulf)


Who am I, if not her?

If not her, who is me?

If I’m the reflection,

Who is the mirror?



I’m beside myself.



Round and round the oak we go,

Til I lay me down to–

What if this place, eorðscræfe,

earth-cave, is a grave?



Something’s scratching at the lid.

Eyes. Shut up. Ears. Clam up.

Start counting before we flare up.



Tongue tastes iron red.

Ears chime with treasure-bright,

thwack of horses’ trappings.

Smoke sniffs straw and crackling,

mead froths. I spy eagles skirming,

cloud-cresting, over this head.

Wolf keeps his distance, skirts the tree-line.



Clutch Wealhtheow’s gift, clamp it tight.

Chin up, love. The choker bites.


Laura Varnam is a Lecturer in English Literature at University College, Oxford. Her poetry is inspired by the medieval texts that she teaches and her poems have been published in Ink, Sweat & Tears, The Oxford Magazine, Green Ink Poetry, Dreich, and forthcoming in Atrium and After…Poetry.