Julaften
by Sigbjørn Obstfelder, 1866-1900
• Background
You think Scandinavian, you think "gloomy." Norwegian poet Sigbjørn Obstfelder does not disappoint. National Review reader Truls Ovrum has very kindly supplied text, translation, and reading for this wonderfully depressing little Christmas piece — just in time for the Festive Season!
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• Play the reading
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• Text of the poem in Norwegian
Julaften!
Julaften med julelys i vinduerne,
bugnende juletrær i storstuerne,
julesang ud gjennem dørsprækkerne!
Jeg vanked alene i gaderne
og lytted til barnesangene.
Jeg satte mig ned på trapperne
og tænkte på min døde mor.
*
Og jeg gik ud på markerne —
ud — blandt stjernerne.
Min skygge gled hen over skyggerne
af dødningearmede trær.
Jeg fandt et lig mellem sneglimtene,
snejulelysene,
et lig, som endnu bævrede,
en stakkels frostdød spurv.
*
Og jeg gik hjem til mit tagkammer
og satte lyset i min flaske.
Jeg satte lyset i min flaske
og la bibelen på min kiste.
Jeg knæled ned ved min kiste
og blæste støvet af min bibel.
Jeg folded hænder over min bibel
og gråt.
• Translation
Christmas Eve!
Christmas Eve with candles in the windows,
Decorated trees in the halls,
Carols coming from the doorways!
I walked alone in the streets
and listened to the carols.
I sat down on the steps
and thought of my dead mother.
I walked out in the fields —
out — amongst the stars.
My shadow crept over the shadows
of skeleton armed trees.
I found a corpse between the glints of snow,
the snow candles,
a corpse, still living,
a poor frostbitten starling.
And I went home to my attic
and put the candle in my bottle.
I put the candle in my bottle
and put the Bible on the bed.
I kneeled down by my bed
and blew the dust off my Bible.
I folded my hand on the Bible
and cried.