Poem of the Week, week 23: Gunvor Hofmo

NOW HAS THE SUMMER… Now has the Summer passed over your streets with puffing cool lips spreading the sweet smell of the lilacs’ violet-wet clusters and the lindens scenting the air between the teeth of Summer Your heart is far from moon-pale whispering among the leaves far from the clenched fists hammering on closed gates your streets are open, seeing, with cool breath Translated by Annabelle Despard

NÅ ER SOMMEREN … Nå er Sommeren gått over dine gater med prustende svale lepper blåser ut syrinenes ange av våtfiolette klaser og lindene dufter mellom Sommerens tenner Ditt hjerte er langt fra måneblek hvisken i løvet langt fra de knyttede hender som hamrer på stengte porter dine gater er åpne seende med sval pust

From Gunvor Hofmo (1921–1995), Veisperringer, Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, Oslo 1973.

Poem of the Week. 52 poems through the year

From the time when the earliest texts were recorded in runic inscriptions, poetry has had a strong position in Norway. By introducing a new poem each week throughout 2019, we aim to highlight the quality and breadth of Norwegian poetry. «Poem of the Week» presents 52 poems, inspired by the changing seasons and the passing of the year. The selection has been made by Annette Vonberg and Tone Carlsen, and consists of poems from the earliest handwritten manuscripts up until today, with a special emphasis on contemporary poetry.

Poem of the Week, week 23: Gunvor Hofmo "Now has the summer..."

Take part in a weekly journey through 52 poems by authors from Norway throughout 2019 – Norway’s year as Guest of Honour.

Poem of the Week. 52 poems through the year