Max Heinegg

Wayfinder

In Reykjavik

The mother of the goldsmith shows me the rune
beside the protective eye of awe
near the lava stone & silver necklaces
adorned by the carved teeth of whales.

She says, Here is the wayfinder
& puts it on so I may imagine
how it will look on you.

Along the walls, she has modeled
her son’s creations. In black & white,
a grandmother, still beautiful.

I hope this is where we will follow,
the way an older culture set
the symbol to stay in one place,
offering
something of the earth
that skill shaped, clasped
with a magnet to hold the rope, so
you will know where you are going
even when you don’t.

Max Heinegg is a poet, singer-songwriter, recording artist, editor, and literary critic. His previous collection, Good Harbor, won the inaugural Paul Nemser Prize from Lily Poetry Press. His second book of poems, Going Therre, came out in September 2023. Born in Cooperstown, NY, he lived in Schenectady, NY before moving to Medford, MA, where he has taught English in the Medford Public Schools for 25 years and is the co- founder and brewmaster of Medford Brewing Company. Connect with him on the web at www.maxheinegg.com