April talking meme

[scripsi]

verdande_mi asked: What is you favourite poem/song lyrics in Swedish?

I think it must be Trollbunden by Karin Boye, a poem about unrequited love.

När du är borta, hungrar så vilt min själ.
När du är nära, längtar jag likaväl --
förtvivlad ser jag,
stelnad, sluten,
hur tom och fåfäng
flyr minuten.

Ditt väsens stolta kungliga blomdoft fin
jag ville hemligt dricka, ett heligt vin --
men dödstung står jag
som i drömmar,
med törst som Tantalos
i klara strömmar.

I ensamhetens tid har min tunga bränt
att säga dig det vackra jag drömt och känt --
men i din närhet
min tanke somnar,
min port är stängd,
och hjärtat domnar.

And here is an English translation, made by Jenny Nunn, which is quite good.

Spellbound

When you are away, my soul hungers wildly.
When you are close, I long for you just as much -
in despair I see,
numb, secluded,
how empty and futile
is the minute which goes by.

Your essence of proud and regal perfumes fine
I secretly wanted to drink, a sacred wine -
but I stand heavy as death
as in dreams,
with a thirst like Tantalos
in clear streams.

In times of solitude my tongue has burned
to tell you of the beautiful thing I have dreamt and felt
but when I am near you
my thoughts slumber,
my door is closed,
and my heart is numb.

Comments

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Beautiful and sad.

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

It is. :)

[verdande-mi.livejournal.com]

This was lovely, I really loved the last verse. Always nice reading something new! The poem, not the poet, was new to me :) Also, trollbunden is such a wonderful word!

One of my favourite poems in Norwegian is Tung tids tale by Halldis Moren Vesaas – never ceases to connect with me. I especially love this line: det er mange ikring deg som frys, ver du eit bål, strål varme ifrå deg.

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

I love the word "trollbunden" too. :)

Halldis Moren Vesaas is new to me. I will have to look it up.

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Never liked poetry. Like at all. But there's one poem I love. Mordet vid Vindfallsängen by Fröding. :-)

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

I like poetry. :) And my father's family is from Värmland, so guess if I know my frödig... ;)