Introduction
About Karin Boye
Work by Karin Boye
  • Poems
  • Prose
  • Recordings
  • Water-colours
  • Around Karin Boye
    The Society
    Sales

    Spring Water

    Spring water is justice,
    colourless and clear.
    It has its own indistinct
    fine taste.
    But such a drink is so poor,
    when there is wine.
    Water alone is the spring.
    Still I long for it.
    Water alone is justice,
    
    none within reach -
    all too near, difficult to love,
    a hard drink to acquire.
    Lord, give me justice,
    give my soul shape!
    Lord, give me water,
    colourless and clear!


    Translated into English by Jenny Nunn in "To a friend".

    Swedish original



    Copyright © 1997:
    Translation from Swedish into English: Jenny Nunn
    Swedish original: Ulf Boye

    Published with the permission of:
    Jenny Nunn, translation.
    Ulf Boye, copyright of the Swedish original.
    May and Hans Mehlin, Layout.