The Legend of Mistletoe

The reason we kiss under mistletoe comes from Norse mythology and I really liked the story, so I wrote a poem on it for Creative Writing class

Beautiful Frigga, goddess of Love and Marriage,

Wife of the powerful Odin,

And mother of the beloved Baldur.

Frigga's gifts and strengths were plentiful

And with them she wove the clouds,

Creating rain and thunderstorms

She divined the futures of men and gods alike.

When beloved Baldur was born

Frigga was not alone in her joy.

The celebration was short-lived however,

When the goddess saw that her favourite son,

Her beautiful Baldur,

Would die a young man.

In a state of panic

Frigga raced about

Seeking out everyone and everything

To extract from them a vow

That none would play a part in Baldur's death.

Sitting at the foot of the trees,,

Kneeling in rivers,

Looking to the sky,

To fire and metal,

Calling upon each disease,

Upon every beast and bird,

Upon all poisons,

And everything that crept and crawled,

"None will do harm to Baldur," she cried.

"We will spare him," they answered.

The gods were amazed,

In awe!

The sought amusement by hurling darts,

Flinging stones, and attacking with swords,

Yet Baldur walked away, unscathed.

Never a mark upon beloved Baldur's beautiful skin.

Watching from the shadows,

Loki,

God of Mischief,

Quaked and sneered with jealousy.

He traveled the galaxies

In search of a tiny and young plant

That Frigga had forgotten to ask.

Mistletoe grew solely in solitude,

Resulting in a harrowing journey for the loathly Loki.

After fashioning a singular arrow

From the insignificant plant,

The troublemaker god tricked

Poor, blind Hodur,

God of Winter,

Who was desperate to join the other gods

In the game of trying to harm Baldur.

With the help of Loki

Guiding his unseeing hand

The arrow flew

And pierced Baldur's heart,

And his life left with a flash.

Distraught and heartbroken

Beautiful Frigga, goddess of Love and Marriage,

Wife of the powerful Odin,

And once mother of the beloved Baldur,

Then lifted the arrow

That killed her favourite son

And promised that mistletoe

Would forevermore

Be seen as a symbol of love and peace,

And so she declared,

"All who stand beneath it,

Will be blessed with a kiss."

Reviews

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Wonderful poetical tribute to ‘Baldur’; you certainly encapsulated this great piece of Norse mythology. Links well with the season; mistletoe/Christmas so symbolic and near at hand. An enjoyable read, but note: the eight stanza from the end – should it read ... ‘then’ lifted the arrow? Nice one ...:-)

[Askew]

Thank you for enjoying it, and thank you for catching that mistake!

[katie]

I'm new to mythology. Sort of a tragic, yet beautiful piece of the story of mistletoe. :) I really enjoyed this.

[Askew]

This is probably one of my all time favourite myths, it's got a bit of everything. Humour, love, grief. It means a lot that you liked this piece. :)

[Chryiss]

Ah, I remember this myth. You did a lovely job turning it into a poem. :)
I forgot back then, but remembering now, it's rather a sad tale when we think of mistletoe and Christmas bringing love and people together rather than destroy it. But that's how a lot of mythology goes; it's rather contrary; however, in being so, it's often hopeful too.