My first commission

This was my first commission, back in the 1980's. I was asked to write a praise-poem about a woman, and do it in the style of the old Norse skalds. I didn't know her well, so I asked for some information. I was told she was a teacher of weaving, a friendly and hospitable homemaker who put up with no nonsense from ne'er-do-wells. The following was the result:

Lysbeth's Song

I lift not my voice
to the virtues of war
Nor tell I of travels
to terrors abroad.
This song is sung not
for the slayers of men
Whose fearsome fell voices
frighten the foe.

Many the deeds
well-deserving of praise
That pass unremembered
by poem or song.
Heroes and heroines
whose honor is proved
Not on the field,
but in the home.

Of one such I sing,
a woman whose worth
Is well-known by knaves
and nobles and knights.
Awesome her art
openly shown
To any with eyes
and eager to learn.

Wondrous her work
the warp and the weft.
Cunningly crafted
in cotton and wool.
A weaver who rivals
Arachnae herself!
She wanders the woods
for her mordants and dyes.

Hospitable home,
hearth and hall
For wanderers wearied
and worn by the road.
Smiling, she serves
a sumptuous feast:
Happy her hostel
for hungry hosts!

Courteous compliment
is not conserved
From favored folk,
fitting to give.
Ill-deed is ill-done,
under her eyes;
Rarely reluctant
with rapid reproach!

Happy at hearth-stone,
Long at the loom,
Smiling and courteous
to great and to small,
Teacher of laurels,
lover of life -
Lysbeth Polsdottir!
I need not say more.