VIKING

VIKING

when a Viking
turns the
other cheek

it’s to show you
the humongous scar
where the spear
went through

and let it not be said
that Vikings lack forgiveness
many a crazed Viking
has stayed
   his hand somewhat
dealing out death
with much softer blows

lacking a poetic culture that
would civilized certainly
and thus unable
to write
   their side of
the story

I therefore on their
behalf appoint myself their
spokesman to the
rest of us
    ordinary, somewhat
shocked and
non-comprehending members
of our species

since I am no Viking, or
by my reckoning, as
much as half
clearly isn’t