Sunday 25 January 2015

A poem by Karin Boye


THE SEA

Salt, bitter salt
the sea is, and clear and cold.
Deep down, there’s much that moulders,
the sea though cleanses all.
Wild, beast of prey wild
is the surf in its glittering bound,
but no human thoughts have ever
the sea-song’s full-bodied sound.
Strong, endless and strong
is the mighty march of the waves,
and strong with the unending sea
each gentle transient wave.
So give your life to the sea. There’s
life-blood required of a man,
though lastly, deep in the depths, he
will gain rest that none other can.

1 comment:

John Irons said...

Karin Boye is fearfully difficult to translate, so this version may well see some alterations over the next few days.