BEOWULF NOW 

“I work all day, 
and get drunk 
at night”
—Phillip Larkin
TLS Christmas 1977
__________________

Above a Norwegian fjord—
I cast a huge spiral funeral fire
billowing for my lover Beowulf

Fumes of wood-smoke—
the blaze roared & drowned
the weeping for my comrade
__________

But it did no good—
I cast the runes and they
said your Lord is gone

Gird your butchy loins—
my dear, be disconsolate for 
more than just Beowulf’s demise