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Fjordscene Poetry

Poetry, writing and translations by K-M Skalkenæs

  • English poetry
    • 30 after thoughts (2021)
    • divisive / dismissive / missive (2018)
    • Light Requires Darkness (2018)
    • Seen From a Distance People Lose Their Eyes (2017)
    • Confessions of the Cold Light of Dawn (2014)
    • What Bits of Peace My Life’s Ensured (2014)
    • Poems Inspired by Paintings (2014)
  • Danish poetry
    • verden værker (2026)
    • De spor man efterlader sig (2017)
  • Translations
    • Edith Södergran
      • Poems
      • The September Lyre
      • The Rose Altar
      • The Shadow of the Future
      • The Land Which Is Not
    • Gustaf Munch-Petersen
      • naked human
      • The Lowest Country
      • Towards Jerusalem
      • Nineteen Poems
    • Edvard Søderberg
  • Info
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    • About My Poetry
    • About the Collections
    • Contact Me
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    • Poetry
    • Translations

Most of the poems in the collection were written within a year – between Summer 1918 and Spring 1919. A few of them were intended to be published with her previous collection ‘The September Lyre’, but were refused inclusion there.

While the topic of this collection is similar to the last, its tone is warmer and less tense.

Category: The Rose Altar

  • Edith Södergran
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: On the Stairs of Himalaya

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

On the stairs of Himalayathe great Vishnu sitsdreaming. Infinite is the evening in Himalaya. Whitecladstands the tiny pilgrim in the violet glow.Almighty,take my lifein exchange for just a moment of your dreams…I will see what you want – and perish…

  • Edith Södergran
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: The Incantation

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

How shall I speak to you from the depths of my heart?How do the gods cover their words, irresistibly and lightly,how shall I speak, so human weakness doesn’t fell my words?I will speak, so I open up all of my […]

  • Edith Södergran
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: Transformation

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

What blessedness on the wind…The kiss of infinity…How my life has changed, how silent it has become,deceitfully silent…Happy fairytale princess,your heart storms wilder than the heart of the ocean.Do one carry in vain this heart in one’s breast?Time, listen to […]

  • Edith Södergran
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: The Gods Are Coming…

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

Humans know but little of themselves,they believe they are as poor as they show themselves in life,they know not at all that the gods live in their chests,unrecognized. The gods laugh. Life is theirs.They drive the wagon with the glowing […]

  • Edith Södergran
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: The Lament of the Tools

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

For me life sank into blue smoke.I stand up straightwith nothing else above me than the threatening copper sky over which I rule.Why is this burden lifted onto human shoulders?Why does iron armour enclose my heart?Am I not allowed to […]

  • Edith Södergran
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: Where Do the Gods Live?

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: My Fairytale Castles

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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 Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: The Earth Was Turned Into a Pile of Ashes

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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 Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: The Chalice of Suffering

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: To The Strong Ones

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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 Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: The Penitent

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: On Foot I Had To Walk Through Solar Systems

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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 Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: The Parade of Horror

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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 Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: The Storm

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: My Artificial Flowers

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: In the Hammock of the Fairies

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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
  • The Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: First I Will Climb Chimborazo

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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 Rose Altar
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: The Road to Elysium and Hades

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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
12 Jan, 202012

Edith Södergran: The Rose Altar

Posted By K-M Skalkenæs

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 […]

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  • 30 after thoughts
  • divisive / dismissive / missive
  • Light Requires Darkness
  • Seen From a Distance People Lose Their Eyes
  • De spor man trækker efter sig
  • Confessions of the Cold Light of Dawn
  • What Bits of Peace My Life’s Ensured
  • Poems Inspired by Paintings
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