Memory of a scent / Doftminne

POSTED IN classic poetry, Spring March 13, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memory of a scent / Doftminne

The melancholy of Lapland lakes!
The dead wash of the low waves against the shore!
I remember them, I remember the boats shaped like peapods
I remember a scent of pipesmoke in the chilly clear air.
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Doftminnne

DE lappländska sjöarnas melankoli!
De korta vågornas döda slag emot stranden!
Jagg minns dem,jag minns de ärtskidformade båtarna
jag minns en doft av piprök i kyligt klar luft.

GUNNAR EKELÖF

translated by Leonard Nathan