The Stranger House

For

Allan, Brian, John and Peter

To his friends a man should be firm in friendship

Sharing gifts and sharing laughter.

“The Sayings of the High One” Poetic Edda

Be helpful to strangers who stop at your house, don’t mock or demean them.

It’s hard to be certain simply by looking what kin they may claim.

“The Sayings of the High One” Poetic Edda

By dead-man’s shore in shadow-land a hall was raised roofed with serpents

whose venom drips on those who dwell there killers and defilers. All doors face north.

“The Sibyl’s Prophecy” Poetic Edda