The Goddess, Freyja – A #Tanka

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

Merril D. Smith shared a quote from William Shakespeare and The Merchant of Venice, for this week’s poetry challenge.

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

― William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

We’ve had a few big happenings in our little house in the desert. After three long years without our beloved Pomeranians, Sugar, and Spice, we decided it was time for a new little goddess to enter our lives.

In a couple of weeks, one of these little kittens will come home with us. I met the four of them today, and instantly fell in love—and I have the scratches from their baby claws to prove it!

After Ron and I raised five kids together in a house that always had at least one cat or dog, we knew it was time to create new memories.

If the corona virus has taught us anything, it’s to appreciate the bright lights that shine in our lives. Time spent with family and friends, good food, wine and drink, and the companionship of the furry creatures that fill our hearts with love.

When I bent down and caressed those bits of fur, I whispered, “Who wants to be a goddess?”

The attentive girl in the middle recognized me. Our eyes locked, and I knew she was the one. Freyja, the Viking goddess is reborn to shine a light in our weary world.

“Freyja“

fate steers a fresh course
candle glow transformation
good deeds rewarded
Freyja, keeper of the Runes
light beneath the underworld

©2020 Colleen M. Chesebro

Freyja was a Norse goddess whose sacred animal was the cat. It is said she rode a chariot driven by two blue cats given to her by Thor. Her sacred birds were falcons. Her magical cloak was made from falcon’s feathers enabling her to shapeshift and fly.

The selection of the name Freyja is a polite nod to our Viking and Germanic heritage.

And, if mythology isn’t your thing…

There’s nothing like the purrs from a cuddly kitty!

Soon to be Cat Mom

55 thoughts on “The Goddess, Freyja – A #Tanka”

  6. They are all adorable, Colleen:) I feel like they choose us and we know it when we make eye contact. I love the name Freyja and the poem. Congrats!

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                3. Thank you for asking. I’m on my second month of cpap therapy and it’s going well. I’m experiencing a huge change in my sleep and breathing. My asthma has calmed down. My hubby is also doing well. We’re home bodies anyway, so staying home hasn’t been much of a problem. I’ve planted a garden and am writing. Life is good. How about you, Miriam? I know you had some issues, yourself. I hope all is well with you. ❤

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                4. Good to hear you found something working for your health, Colleen. My allergy I had last year shocked my body the same way it did during the chemo. I had major hair loss and just started having new hair of two or three inches long.
                  I deal with sleeping situation on a daily basis. I’m working on my children’s book from some stories written years ago when I took a children’s writing course. One story was professionally edited and now is in the illustration process. I got sometime lined up to do the formatting. I hope to be back to do more writing later on.

                  I ordered some milkweed seeds and will work on it today. Hope to do a small part to bring back the butterflies. 💖💖

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                5. Oh, Miriam. I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that. My allergies are under control with steroid spray right now. We live in beautiful places but the pollen seems to be worse than years ago. Thinking of you! Such great plans. I look forward to reading the new book. ❤

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                6. It’s getting better and better every day, Colleen. Steroid was another factor causing the hair loss, but I needed the steroid to reduce the inflammation, not antibiotics. As soon as the inflammation was under control, I stopped the steroid both oral and cream.

                  Thank you, Colleen. It’s very expensive to hire good an illustrator. I tried to settle for less, but somehow didn’t work out for two of them. I was so relieved and went ahead to hire my first choice. ❤

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  16. I recently read Gaiman’s “Norse Mythology” and Freya was one of the few characters I liked! She was always sensible, whereas Thor seemed a bit of a numskull and Loki villainous.

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    1. Yes! In many of these myths it appears the woman is always the more sensible. Definitely a nod to the power of the feminine projected through the goddess figure. Some things never change. 😄

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