Poem of the Week, week 37: Kolbein Falkeid

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE The things clambered up from the depths. Small coral islands. White stop-overs for our bird-hearts of passage. We had hardly learnt their names before the dream of distant mainlands gave our wings a twitch. One by one we set out once more. Translated by John Irons

ANKOMST OG AVREISE Tingene klatret opp fra dypet. Små koralløyer. Hvite pusteplasser for våre trekkfuglhjerter. Knapt lærte vi tingenes navn før drømmen om fjerne fastland fingret med vingene våre. En etter en begav vi oss videre.

From Kolbein Falkeid (1933), Reisenotater, J.W. Cappelens 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 37: Kolbein Falkeid "Arrival and departure"

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