Kenning
is a figurative expression that replaces a name or a noun. Often it's a compound of two words and the words are hyphenated. Kennings are usually associated with Old Norse, Icelandic and Anglo Saxon poetry.
Example: Desert-ship = a Camel
Hot-potato, Hot-potato
what a Forseti-Failure.
Can't be a Bringer of Rings,
can't change the Northern-kiss.
Mind the mind's worth.
Oh, Hot-potato
kiss the sky-candle.
And the Rune-caller
may grant your wish.
With uncut threads
and fresh feather's fall
the draught of giants
takes shelter from
the sky's black cloak.
Hot-Potatoe: Someone no one wants
Forseti-Failure: Unjust decisions
Bringer of Rings: Chieftain, King
Northern-kiss: Cold wind
Mind's Worth: Honor
Sky-candle: Sun
Rune-caller: Wizard
Uncut threads: Destiny to be fulfilled
Feather's fall: Falling snow
Draught of giants: Sudden realization
Sky's black cloak: Nightfall
-Miss Bates.
I like the imagery of sky's black cloak in particular.
ReplyDeleteI love Bringer of Rings. In fact I think all the Kennings are good
ReplyDeleteI had no idea rhyming slang was called a kenning... this poem is genius - i knew a few old sailors that spoke like this :)
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