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    THE CONDEMNED

    When the great trial reached its end,
    after judgement, speeches, all
    the silent thoughts of the condemned
    held colloquy in the silent hall.

    One man to the other said:
    'No one knows how we shall fare.
    Perhaps it is really just the start
    of a work that awaits us there.


    Your features are very pale,
    white as that white glow,
    living as flames live.
    To death we've still far to go.

    Burning and without fear
    we shall go to the bitter last,
    burning and without fear
    our spirits will rise like a spark.

    Through empty, cold expanses
    the wind may drive it far,
    but where the forest is driest,
    two hot sparks will fall.'


    Translated into English by David McDuff in "Karin Boye: Complete poems".

    Swedish original



    Copyright © 2005:
    Translation from Swedish into English: David McDuff
    Swedish original: Ulf Boye

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

    For more information, please visit the website of David McDuff and his own pages with the translations.