One of my enemies ended my life Sapped my world
strength afterward soaked me Wetted in water,…Set
me in sun where soon I lost the haurs which I had.
And then the hard knife edge cut me…Fingers
folded me and feather of bird traced all over my
tawny surface With drops of delight,…
Then for trappings a man Bound me
with boards bent hide over me Glossed me with
gold and so I glistened Wondrous in smith work
wire encircled
…Say what I am called Useful to man Mighty
my name is A help to heroes and holy am I.
5 Responses to 10th Century riddle seen at the Book of Kells exhibit which sounds like a Michael Ondaatje poem