Poem of the Week, week 31: Tor Ulven

Along the leaf-nerves in summer light, shuddering down toward the groundwork, a labyrinth of earth. My hair a wick, someone lit it, I burned down, slowly and without pain. Now you can lose your way. Translated by Siri Hustvedt

Langs bladnervene i sommerlyset, ilinger ned mot grunnmur, jordlabyrint. Håret var veke, noen tente på, jeg brant ned, sakte og smertefritt. Nå kan du gå deg bort.

From Tor Ulven (1953–1995), Forsvinningspunkt, Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, Oslo 1981.

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 31: Tor Ulven "Along the leaf-nerves"

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