The Icelandic connection - 01.12.2020, Page 47

Vol. 71 #4
ICELANDIC CONNECTION
189
POETRY
Translation of “Bikarinn,”
a poem by Johann Sigurjonsson
The Goblet
Alone you will find me drinking
during the evening hours
My glass with the golden liquid
gives off the scent of flowers
Joy that is long since over
awakens and does delight me
Sorrow, long lost and buried,
is weeping anew inside me
Right next to me, Death is looming
he holds without any slackness
the infinite sky of evening
filled to the brim with blackness
Translated by Vala Hafstad
Bikarinn
Bikarinn Einn sit eg yfir drykkju
aftaninn vetrarlangan,
ilmar af gullnu glasi
gamalla bloma angan.
GleSi, sem longu er lidin,
lifnar i salu minni.
Sorg sem var gleymd og grafin,
grsetur l annad sinni.
Bale vid mig bidur daudinn,
her hann l hendi styrkri
hyldjupan naeturhimin
helltan fullan af myrkri.
Johann Sigurjonsson
1880 -1919