Poem of the Week, week 52: Halldis Moren Vesaas

CALENDAR LEAF Late, low December sun red through frosty haze. Birches extend black branches, glide, farther off, together and form groves in the soft mist. A thin crust of snow crunches, shimmering mother-of-pearl green and blue. It is easy to walk, it is easy to breathe, and easy to carry one’s heart as a bowl open to the reddish-golden light easy to bow down in submissive acquiescence under the year’s wise law. Translated by John Irons

KALENDERBLAD Sein, låg desembersol raud gjennom frostskodde. Bjørker spiler svarte greiner, glir, lenger bort, saman til lundar i den mjuke dis. Tynn snøskorpe krasar, perlemorsskiftande i grønt blått. Lett å gå, lett å puste, lett å bere hjartet som ei skål open mot det raudgylne lys, lett å bøye seg lydig samtykkande under årets vise lov.

From Halldis Moren Vesaas (1907–1995), Dikt i samling, H. Aschehoug & Co. (W. Nygaard), Oslo 1998.

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 52: Halldis Moren Vesaas "Calender leaf"

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