The Icelandic connection - 01.03.2018, Side 11

Vol. 70 #1
ICELANDIC CONNECTION
9
Ki'mnileiftur ljoda jrinna,
letta spor og hugann yngja.
Svo dremi (fig um friSan Eyjafjord,
og fagrar bernskustodvar inn i sveit.(K. N.)
The Satirical Poet
Translated by Magnus Olafson
Now these flags fly above his
grave and his monument. It is
fitting that the North Dakota flag,
the Icelandic flag, and the USA
flag fly above the grave of this man
who knew two homelands. He lived
most of his life in North Dakota in
the years from 1893 - 1936.
It would be a great honor to
contribute to the K. N.Julius Replica
Monument in Akureyri. To make a
US Tax-Deductible Donation, click
the 'Donate1 button on the top of
the page. 100% of your donation
will be spent on the K.N. Project if
you designate this on the form.
To read more about K.N. and
his poetry, continue reading below.
About Little Christine Geir
Translation by Magnus Olafson
Since the first I saw you near,
My need for sunlight dwindled;
The light for my fife’s path,
Is by the fight in your eyes kindled.
SiSan fyrst eg sa (fig her,
solskin Jiarf eg minna.
Gegnum fifiS lysir mer
ljosiS augna (3 inn a.
Born to make tears few.
The mocking flashes of your verses,
Lighten and renew the spirit.
So dream about the beautiful fjord,
of your beautiful childhood home
in the countryside.
The monument was originally built
in 1936 and was reconstructed in 1999
in conjunction with the 100th Annual
“Deuce of August Celebration.” The
celebration was originally called the 2nd
of August Celebration.
Anna Geir was a widow with five young
children. When Kainn arrived in Pembina
County, he was searching for work. He was
informed about the family’s situation and he
worked on the Geir farm as a farmhand for
the remainder of his fife. Christine (Geir)
Hall was born and raised on the family farm
where Kainn lived and worked. K.N did
some brick laying work in the community
along with digging most of the graves at the
Thingvalla Cemetery. He died on the Geir
farm of a stroke 25 Oct 1936.
Here is the address given in 1999 by
Christine Geir Hall at the rededication