Eddas, Speech Measure or Malahattr

[Tinker]

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry
Nordic Verse
Edda Measures

Speech Measure or Malahattr of the 12th century, Icelandic from The Edda Measures, the elements are::

1. stanzaic, written in any number of quatrains.
2. accentual, written with 4 strong stresses per line. There are 3 or 4 unstressed syllables in each hemistich (half line) This is much like Anglo Saxon Verse.
3. composed with the 3rd stressed syllable of each line alliterating with either or both of the 1st and 2nd stressed syllable, but the 4th stress rarely alliterates within the line. Instead the 4th stressed syllable of the line can cross alliterate with the following line.

   The Longest Night by Judi Van Gorder
   
   Balder of the light, beloved of the gods
   Son of Odin, could suffer no harm
   but for a plant, a parasite with petite white berries
   growing far in the forest, fabled for a kiss.
   
   Thinking him invincible, the gods would practice
   by throwing their spears at same, a game.
   His brother who lived in darkness, became a pawn
   of Loki the trickster, talented and jealous.
   
   This deceiver designed a dart of mistletoe
   and guided the blind man's aim toward the target.
   The unwitting Hod, murdered his brother
   and the light went out in the land of the Norse.

• Old Story Measure or Fornyroislog
• Song Measure or Ljoahattr