Journeyman

By my will I’ll 

Employ my craft 

With fine-honed axe

And shaping adze.

For a shipwright 

Am I, and it is said 

That if you’d sail

‘Cross lake or sea, 

I’m the man you’ve 

Need to hail.

I’m also he who will,

With wood and occult 

Binding spells,

Build for thee the final

Ship you’ll ever need,

Made to finely fit

The human form. 

With it Gjöll you’ll ford,

With your shield and 

Spear and shining sword,

To feast with Gods and 

Stand with them, 

Heroes all, afore the doors 

Of Valhalla’s hallowed halls.

Quaff your final horn of mead,

Speak if you’ve a final rede

Then gather ‘bout Odin all,

Gods and men standing tall 

Who from blood-soaked 

Fields Valkyries chose,

Dead the flesh left to mould. 

Now sounds Heimdallr’s Horn, 

That long awaited battle call,

As peals of thunder bless 

The marching horde, in this 

Preordained final 

War.

On War

Is it the fault of Hollywood or something else but a lot of civilians don’t understand that war is all about kill or be killed and it is a definite bonus to tilt that ratio to your own benefit whenever and however you can. War has nothing to do with with polite knights and some fantasy of chivalry. That is why soldiers took the collapsible field shovels (“entrenching tools”) they were issued and sharpened their edges into blades. If a soldier does not do that he or she is depriving themselves of a weapon that just might save them in a tight spot.

As for a reputation as being brutal and unrelenting warriors, it is that reputation that could (and did for the Canadians in WWI) result in bloodless victories. The term “shock trooper” was first coined by the Germans in WWI to describe the Canadians, who reduced their casualties because at times the Germans would avoid contact rather than engage.

Check out the 3 part series “Far From Home” for a look at the experiences of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I.

And just btw, those who believe that they can set rules for war are well intentioned fools. Since it first began war has always had one and only one rule: victory. If you don’t intend to win, don’t waste lives by even getting started.

WWWhat?

I have 198 apps on my phone and what do I do with it? Mostly surf YouTube all day. Either I’ve lost my mind or the internet has lost its way. “Effortless” is now synonymous with “mindless.” Today’s internet is something that I am slowly learning to hate.