The Stars †

Edith Söndergran died young. She knew she would die. When the illness broke out, she was transferred to the same tuberculosis asylum where her father had died.

Knowing about her nearing end, and still writing. No matter what comes. Not searching for glory. No fame. Poetry, because poetry needs to be born.

Edith Södergran * 1892 † 1923

The Stars

When night comes
I stand on the steps and listen,
The stars swarm through the garden
and I stand in the dark.
Listen, a star fell with a clang!
Do not go with bare feet in the grass;
my garden is full of shards.

Stärjorna

(Original Swedish)

När natten kommer
står jag på trappan och lyssnar,
stjärnorna svärma i trädgården
och jag står i mörkret.
Hör, en stjärna föll med ett klang!
Gå icke barfota i gräset;
min trädgård är full av skärvor.