Poem of the Week, week 9: Jon Fosse

THE MOUNTAIN HOLDS ITS BREATH there was a deep breath and then the mountain stood there then the mountains stood there and that's how the mountains stand there and stoop downwards and downwards into themselves and hold their breath while heaven and sea stroke and beat the mountain holds its breath Translated by May-Brit Akerholt

FJELLET HELD ANDEN anden vart trekt djupt og så stod fjellet der så stod fjella der og slik står fjella der og lutar seg nedover og nedover i seg sjølv og held anden medan himmel og hav stryk og slår held fjellet anden

From Jon Fosse (born 1959), Stein til stein, Samlaget, Oslo 2013. The English translation comes from poetryinternationalweb.net, 2010.

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 9: Jon Fosse "The mountain holds its breath"

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