I discovered this beautifully simple cabin/hut/den while walking through Hadstock, Essex, on Wednesday. The elegantly written text in Swedish can be literally (machine) translated as:
“I have written a preface to what I would have said.
But I have deleted it. – However, I wish
That before the dark pool over me
The last you see of me
Shall be a closed fist among water lilies
And the last thing you hear a word of bubbles
From the bottom.”
A creative transliteration renders it as:
“I have written an introduction
But it is now lost – But I hope
That before the waters sweep over me
You will see my triumphant fist among the lilies
And hear my last words bubbling up.”
It’s from ‘Among Waterlilies’ by Gunnar Ekelöf – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunnar_Ekel%C3%B6f
Read more of his (down beat) poetry – http://www.ekelut.dk/poems/e_p5en.html
Thanks to Dave Horan for the translation and sourcing
Photo: Hadstock, Essex, February 2015
Just discovered this author by reading latest lisbeth salandar book . I without gushing enjoyed your post
Thank you for your kind words.
I also much appreaciate your translation.
Not my translation, but I’m happy to pass it on.
I just googled it as well. Short and sweet while reading an eye for an eye. Thx
Lol, ditto, reading my third lisbeth salander book
and had to google this poem. The translation made it
Very clear what was being said. Thanks go to this blogger.
I’m pleased to be of help. Always intrigued at how much interest there is in this item.
I just ended up here because of that book, too!
I too discovered this poem while reading. The Girl Who Takes An Eye For An Eye. How quickly time passes by. It’s vitality important for all of us to enjoy each moment because, no one regardless of age is guaranteed seeing the sun rise tomorrow.
Thank you, this poem is so meaningful.
Read this as well and ponder upon its meaning.
Robert Frost’s
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
This poem reassures me that whatever my problems-and I have more than a few, I have miles to go in my life and promises to keep
Thank you, Randy, I’m pleased it struck a chord with you.
Frost’s words are very moving, I’ve not come across them before.
Yes, miles to go and no assurance that we will finish the journey, so each little step is precious.
Is that the complete poem? I’ve searched and cannot find another reference to it.
I’m afraid I dont know. This is all there was on the cabin; and David Horan, who sourced the translation, didn’t suggest there is any more.
I, like most of you, googled this poem after reading Eye for an Eye. I am not usually interested in poetry (much to the chagrin of my cousin who is a poet) but the phrase spurred me to find out more. I’m glad I did.
It’s good to know my blog is helping to spread the word.
Funny how nearly everyone researched this poem after reading eye for an eye. Cool!
Says something about our connected world.
Found your blog post after my uncle who lives just down the road form here in Little Walden sent me a photo of this very shed. (I myself live in Sweden.) I googled “Gunnar Ekelöf waterlillies” in hope of finding an English translation for him and found the same shed! Small world. =)
Small world, indeed. Nice to know my blog is read in Sweden.