Poem of the Week, week 48: Eva Jensen

In front of me in the bus was a man with yellow hair. I leant gently forwards and kissed the nape of his neck. It was just as good as I’d imagined. He let his newspaper fall into his lap. Driver! Get her out! I leant back just as gently and looked out. I think it was sunny that day. Translated by John Irons

Framfor meg på bussen sat ein mann med gult hår. Eg bøygde meg sakte fram og kyssa han i nakken. Det var akkurat så godt som eg hadde trudd. Han lét avisa falle ned i fanget. Sjåfør! Få ho ut! Eg lente meg like sakte tilbake og såg ut. Eg meiner det var sol den dagen.

From Eva Jensen (1955–2016), Dikt og Tekstar, Det Norske Samlaget, Oslo 1984.

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 48: Eva Jensen "In front of me in the bus was a man with yellow hair"

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