Funeral Pyre

Transparent, clear and hot,
beautiful mantle, flare up,
flow closely like water
around my waiting body.
I stand bound and still,
I have no defiance to lose.

I have no resistance any longer,
no futile battle.
So, in anguish without air.
I gain the awaiting peace.
All hope has ended here,
wanting nothing else.

As an aspen leaf my body,
as a flicker my soul,
and deep inside there
I am still free.
A great silence moves me
beyond everything which destroys me.


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

Swedish original



Copyright © 1997:
Translation from Swedish into English: Jenny Nunn

Published with the permission of:
Jenny Nunn, translation.
May and Hans Mehlin, Layout.