Where do the gods live? In my heart,in my worn-out, tenderly intoxicated heart,when the song rises. Oh gods, what is a human capable of in its few moments!I have felt all of your power… Gods, come to me…and I lie […]
Edith Södergran: My Fairytale Castles
I visited the philosopher’s houseand understood that he was happy…But my fairytale castlesstandon fragile inexplicable pillars.Oh, fairytale castles,crash, crashinto golden gravelI love you way too dearly – die! I’ll rebuild youtremblingto kill you – way too beautiful.Fairytale castles,once you will […]
Edith Södergran: The Earth Was Turned Into a Pile of Ashes
The Earth was turned into a pile of ashes.In garments of penitenceI sit on it in a light mood and dream.Oh my ecstatic dreams!I am strong,for I have arisen from the marble bed of death.Death – I looked into your […]
Edith Södergran: The Chalice of Suffering
The chalice of suffering must be grasped by weaker handsand led to paler lips,my victory lips don’t miss it. But – no.In my heart dark giants still sitwith hard fists of stone.Once they’ll step out of their twilight darkness –they […]
Edith Södergran: To The Strong Ones
Flee into loneliness! Be men!Do not become dwarfs with crippled limbs.Do not become prisoners with gritted teeth.Do not become sick eagles in bonds and chains.Teach yourselves to stand like firs on the cliffs in the fire of the surf.Teach yourselves […]
Edith Södergran: The Penitent
We must make penance in the lonesome forests.We must lights single candles over the moors.We must rise – one after the other. When once we resemble each other like siblingsin force and nobility –then we go to the people.
Edith Södergran: On Foot I Had To Walk Through Solar Systems
On footI had to walk through solar systemsbefore I found the first thread of my red garment.I already sense myself.Somewhere in space my heart hangs,it sprinkles sparks and shake the airon its way towards other endless hearts.
Edith Södergran: The Parade of Horror
Courage is the highest, I tell you.God’s angels fight with us,God’s kingdom stands on our strong side.Unfold your red heartso you can see the shining engraving.The angels grasp our banners. What parade, horrific as if you yourself were led to […]
Edith Södergran: The Storm
Now the Earth envelops itself in black again. It is the stormwhich rises out of nightly ravines and lonelydances its ghost-dance over the Earth.Now humans fight again – phantom against phantom.What do they want, what do they know? They’re herdedlike […]
Edith Södergran: My Artificial Flowers
My artificial flowersI send home to you.My small bronze lionsI place by your door.Myself, I sit at the foot of the stair –an Eastern pearl lostin the roaring sea of the great city
Edith Södergran: In the Hammock of the Fairies
Nights and daysI lay in the hammock of the fairiesand dream of strange things.The heart was never born who could love me:he will never overstep the threshold of reality.Diana’s lampshines through my nights’thin fairytale mist.I cannot love, I cannot give up my […]
Edith Södergran: First I Will Climb Chimborazo
First I will climb Chimborazoin my own countryand stand there breathlesswith the wreath of victory. Later I will climb the mountain of famewhich the golden fields of the world smile at,and stand there blessedin rosy visions. In the end I’ll […]
Edith Södergran: The Road to Elysium and Hades
From the mountain of fateyou clearly see where the road goesto Elysium and Hades. Down there wanderpeople in a mist,they laugh and cryand follow coffins to the grave –all in a dream. Oh how I long for the placewhere you […]
Edith Södergran: The Rose Altar
I don’t look like you,for I am more than you. I am in the duska temple priestess,consecrated I guardthe fire of the future– – – – – – – – I step out in front of youwith a message of joy:The […]
Edith Södergran: God Is Still Awake
What is wrong with me?– The notebook for my publisher– then all is well.The moon rises – my longing goes to bed.My longing throws itself on the bedand laughs infernally:God is still awake –blessed sleepless angels around his throne!
Edith Södergran: Hope
I will be straight-forward –therefore I don’t care for noble stylesand roll up my sleeves.The dough of the poem swells…Oh, what a sorrow –.to not be able to bake cathedrals…The greatness of the forms –the goal of the persistent longing.Present-child,is […]
Edith Södergran: Orpheus
I transform the snakes into angels.Raise your heads! Rise onto your tails!A second… and nobody hisses anymore.Blessed they lay at my feet,intoxicated by dreams, and kiss the folds of my cloak.I touch the lyre. A wind passes over the Earth,silent, […]
Edith Södergran: Why Was Life Given To Me?
Why was life given to meto rush past everybody in the chariot of triumph,unachievable, fast as fate,unconscious and without will,in perpetual longing? Why was life given to meto, with hands decorated with rings,to grasp the beaming bowlI conjured upin steady […]
Edith Södergran: Fragment
– – – – – – – – – –– – – – – – – – – –– – – – the germs of life thrive on your slimy skin.Skywards striving city, you haven’t broken my heart:all your people […]
Edith Södergran: My Lyre
I resent the thought…Where is my giant, beloved lyre?The sunshine-stringed, magnificent, which hangs down from the clouds.Oh you my giant lyre,you hang over the world like a question mark.– – – – – – – – –When I dieI’ll throw […]