All-Father

AllFather,
wise, revered, courageous,
mistrusted.

Your children know
you are not smiling,
a benevolent Father Christmas.
You do not indulge us
with soft, easy answers.

You are a stern parent,
war-leader, Lord of Hosts.
You do what is necessary
to defeat the wolf
that is, was and will be.

Far-Seer,
you need us strong,
break our bones
to knit them even tougher.

If we are at cross-purposes
we bend, supplication unheeded,
for you safeguard
Midgard's survival
with lovingcare
and iron hands.