Slow Havamal: 88

The 88th verse warn against putting too much trust in your new child or your early crops. Weather and whim will shape them, and they will change.

This verse splits 87 and 89 in order, though not in sense, which is why we treat it after verse 89. It does follow the same theme, though. Instead of things in stages that render them dangerous, we find them in stages of great promise, and have to remember that nothing stays the same.

For the parent, a young child seems to contain the future in its purest and most promising form. While we know it isn’t yet decided, much of our adulation comes from the possibility of good. Where an old man’s life is lived, and stands as it is, we can hope the child will remain sweet and curious, and be spared the torments of previous generations. ( Read more... )