Floki's Viking Spirit

Gold cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • 153 reads
11 comments
 

Floki stirs from dreams with visions

of ancient wood; staggered eyes flirt

past trails of intention to surprise,

magnified energy in his eyes...

 

as melancholy night – cunning with

haunting intent, wraps daylight in

black mantle, conjuring stars to

decorate space and time.

 

Silent billows drift – clouding veil that

twinkles brink, distant span without a

bridge...far out of reach.

 

Enchanted shadows disorientated,

tormented trees that quail, flimsy...

floaty gossamer quivers as wide-eyed

spider recoils against sudden untamed

current of air.

 

Creative hands enchant Gods, they

view his craft, this artisan of Viking

ships, do not be fooled by asinine

ways,

 

this Viking has an enquiring mind,

ashore battles will be won with axe

and spear – unweave his perception

of deep ocean breakers, shrewdness

of timber lifts essential spirit.

 

Image is free to use in the

public domain.

 

This is a poem about Floki, who was

a Ship Builder in the Series:

The Vikings.

 

 

Certificate 12
Poem
Poems
Biography

Comments

Submitted by celticman on

creative hands enchant god. creative words bring god onboard. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hello Jack,

as you probably know the Vikings were followers of the Gods. Gustaf Skarsgard acted the part of Floki so well.and is certainly my favourite actor in the series which I followed with great enthusiasm.

So pleased you thought my words were creative.

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I saw Floki in Vikings, but not any of what your amazing imagination found! I love :

"Silent billows drift – clouding veil that

twinkles brink, distant span without a

bridge...far out of reach."

Magical poem, brilliant, Thank You

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hello Di, you put a big smile on my face with your words. smiley Wasn't Gustaf Skarsgard amazing as Floki? I know the series is quite old now, but after seeing it the first time round, I decided to watch it again. Just had to write this poem as Floki's personality shines and inspired the poem.

Many thanks for reading and letting me know you enjoyed.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

I didn't see The Vikings but This is such a wonderful poem Jenny, so full of vivid description - well done!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Wow! Thank you insert, I'm honoured that you thought it was wonderful and really appreciate you letting me know.

Over the moon. smiley

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It was lovely to see the cherries.

Thank you so much Editors.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Evoking a Viking shipbuilder's inspiration, this vivid poem is Pick of the Day! Please do share if you can

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Just tuned in. What a wonderful surprise to see my poem get Pick of the Day. Thank you so much Di, it's made my evening. yes

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Nice one Jenny! A great poem and well deserving of the golden delicious.

I've never seen the Vikings television series but when I was a kid I loved the film of the same name that had Tony Curtis and Kirk Douglas in it. There's one bit where the Tony Curtis character gets his hand chopped off as a punishment for committing treason and then gets in the longboat and goes back to Norway. I wondered if for that reason he should be remembered as being the first man to sail across the North Sea single-handed.

I didn't know until I went to live in Chippenham but in real life, while the Vikings were trying to invade England, Alfred the Great lived in Chippenham making plans to ward them off, just beside the library. There's a blue plaque there now. 

 

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Turlough,

I've never seen the Tony Curtis and Kirk Douglas film. I think the series came out in 2015, The actor Gustaf Skarsgard who played Floki was so brilliant, he created a character that could be complicated, yet so loving and at one with his art of Viking ship building. An amazing actor as far as I'm concerned.

I also never knew Alfred The Great lived in Chippenham...you learn something new every day. I know the Vikings were hard and tough, robbing and plundering, but for me the series portrayed another side to them that I could relate too.

Thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts, it's always nice to hear from you.

Jenny. smiley