Ratatoskr

· by · in poetry. ·

Unburdened it carries
annoyance in words,
no purpose and
repercussion is none
for this slanderer rodent.

when the weight of a lie
is equal to that of a truth
but the weight of its word
is measured in damage
rather than purpose or cause.

Now, from turbid tabloids
and reality shows
a gossamer gossip is weaved
into gibberish as a meaningless
gloss. quenching reality
with its fabric of nonsense;

then when gossip is amplified
in the asocial networks
into a new generation
of Ratatoskr addicts
flying skyhigh and back without
ever stopping to breathe.

Squirrel
Hans Hoffmann

Mellissa hosted dVerse Poetics yesterday with several option to write about anymals including to include them as mythological creatures. I selected the mythological squirrel from Norse mythology who runs around up and down the trunk of the world tree bringing gossip to everyting which causes havoc among gods and humans. I think it’s a good metaphor for what is happening in the world today as well.

December 3, 2025

18 responses to “Ratatoskr”

  1. I love this, and what a tribute to the gossipy Norse squirrel up and down the tree of life, Thanks for introducing this one as never heard of this character and your poem carries with the words some very contemporary thoughts of turbid tabloids and the weight of a lie.

  3. This is stunning work done, Bjorn! I especially admire the use of alliteration in “a gossamer gossip is weaved into gibberish as a meaningless gloss.” ❤️❤️

  7. Bjorn, as the image shows, Ratatoskr is glossy and well-fed, and its grasping hunger and ratty looking do (tail) suggest the particular one I’m thinking of. I hope Reena’s beast swoops down soon upon it.

    So interesting that the Ratatoskr is already part of Norse mythology. I remember you gave us a prompt awhile back to write about trolls. I remember reading a book to my kids when they were young about the Terrible Troll Bird.

    Have you heard of Moomins?

  8. Your squirrel definitely made me think of certain political figures. Gah! Always lovely to read you, Bjorn.

  9. I love this Ratatoskr, a mythological squirrel. What a delight! Gossiper he may be and I can see the link to this world right now, however I cannot see them as a squirrel lol!

  10. This is one Scandinavian mythological beast I hadn’t heard of before, Björn, but you have cast him in a very apposite politically satirical role – great use of the prompt…

  11. “a gossamer gossip is weaved
    into gibberish as a meaningless
    gloss.”

    So much fun to say

    Thanks for dropping by my blog Björn

    much♡love

  12. when the weight of a lie
    is equal to that of a truth

    This is exactly right now, I love how you’ve captured the tale and melded it with current events.

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