Chief exhibit
Nothing much remains save nails and rivets.
Once she was cutting edge technology –
fast, manoeuvrable, with shallow keel
to mount a beach and out again to sea:
a raiding vessel for a raiding people.
One hundred and thirty tons of wood
made charcoal flames to melt and mould
the iron pegs that held oak planks in place.
Six hundred horse tails for the ropes,
thirty stones of wool to weave a sail.
A glimpse on the horizon turned piety
to dread. Monks crossed themselves
and cried to God while Yalframar,
Steed of the Sea, crossed not just waves:
she traversed worlds as well.
Packed with the finest food and ale,
finest weapons, jewellery, clothes,
the Steed surrendered to the earth
for the final voyage of her warlord
to feast and fight for all eternity.
Swept off course through time
she landed here. Safe from storm and spray,
she lies exposed to gawps and selfies:
the warrior vision of Valhalla,
thermostatically controlled.