IN THE DARK

In the dark I lie and hear
bells that outside thunder near
with long and heavy, even strokes,
like deep breaths the darkness takes.

They deaden all and make all sleep
and free each object's misty shape
in long and heavy, even boom
that thought will never be free from.

I am amongst those who scarce exist
and only know and reminisce
about old darkness's beating heart
that hopes to see no morrow start.

That fears no morrow or its start.


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

Swedish original



Copyright © 2005:
Translation from Swedish into English: David McDuff

Published with the permission of:
David McDuff, translation.
May and Hans Mehlin, Layout.

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