Language as anchor and mooring
Heaney uses several maritime metaphors in discussing a poem set in a sea-faring culture. Here he refers to speech that...
Foursquare
I like this stolid, resolute word:
(Of a building or structure): square shape and solid appearance. Squarely and solidly: a...
Fate goes as ever fate must
This translation by Seamus Heaney rings like a proverb on the immutability of fate. Elsewhere, he brings it up close and...
A voice to clear the head
Trying to imagine a 'head-clearing voice' - is it a singing, shouting or speaking voice? Â Or is it just...
A stook of grain
A sight we no longer see:Â a group of sheaves or grain stood on end in a field. Also 'to stook',...
Horn-pronged gables
This reminds me of some of the pointed and upturning gables and eaves in traditional Chinese and south-east Asian architecture.
...
Outstretched arms of oaks
I love oaks and love this generous, embracing image of them. Â Particularly as we just dug up two tiny...
Thrice condemned monster
Heaney's tripling summary of Grendel, the world's fear and monster: a guilt-fouled fiend and a God-cursed brute with a hall-watcher's hate.  Thankfully,...
War as weaving
This is the first time I have heard of the gods weaving human fate on a loom; echoes of Penelope, but...
Grey-hued sword
This feels a big and ancient sword that might be swung with both hands, not a slimline rapier or epée....
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