spiralsheep: Flowers (skywardprodigal Cog Flowers)
Humph ([personal profile] spiralsheep) wrote in [community profile] forkedtongues2011-10-08 04:49 pm

Two poems by Tomas Tranströmer (recent Nobel prizewinner)

It's autumn here in my four-seasoned, north-of-the-equator, home but I know some of you are a world away from me. Inspired by [personal profile] kore, have some Nobel prize-winning-poet produce in Swedish and then English translation....

Tomas Tranströmer

Ljuset Strömmar In

Utanför fönstret är vårens långa djur
den genomskinliga draken av solsken
rinner förbi som ett ändlöst
förortståg – vi hann aldrig se huvudet.

Strandvillorna flyttar sig i sidled
de är stolta som krabbor.
Solen får statyerna att blinka.

Det rasande eldhavet ute i rymden
transjorderas till en smekning.
Nedräkningen har börjat.


(Translation by Patty Crane)

The Light Streams In

Outside the window is spring’s long animal,
the diaphanous dragon of sunshine
flowing past like an endless
commuter train—we never managed to see its head.

The seaside villas scuttle sideways
and are as proud as crabs.
The sun causes the statues to blink.

The raging conflagration out in space
is transforming into a caress.
The countdown has begun.


Tomas Tranströmer

April Och Tystnad

Våren ligger öde
Det sammetsmörka diket
krälar vid min sida
utan spegelbilder.

Det enda som lyser
är gula blommor.

Jag bärs i min skugga
som en fiol
i sin svarta låda.

Det enda jag vill säga
glimmar utom räckhåll
som silvret
hos pantlånaren.


Audio of the Swedish here: http://www.blackbird.vcu.edu/v10n1/poetry/transtromer_t/001_page.shtml


(Translation by Patty Crane)

April and Silence

Spring lies forsaken.
The velvet-dark ditch
crawls by my side
without reflections.

The only thing that shines
are yellow flowers.

I am cradled in my shadow
like a fiddle
in its black case.

The only thing I want to say
glimmers out of reach
like the silver
at the pawnbroker’s.

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