Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Rune Christiansen

THE WORKING CLASS ARRIVES IN PARADISE

1. It is 1975, I am twelve, I am travelling by train, I have planned to go to The Elysian Fields, or to Dalarö.

2. Oh, how I have missed surrendering myself to the warmth. Where are you from? a girl asks. It’s so bright around you.

3. Everything was in motion even though there was no wind.

4. They say that peace came, and that it was not expected. How did that happen?

5. I never said “dad” after I turned ten, nor “father” either, I referred to him by name, or I addressed him directly with a “you”.

6. What remains? Only vague images of things that happened all too fast.

7. “Longing” is reminiscent of “long ago”.

ARBEIDERKLASSEN KOMMER TIL PARADIS

ARBEIDERKLASSEN KOMMER TIL PARADIS

1. Det er 1975, jeg er tolv år, jeg reiser med tog, jeg har tenkt meg til De elysiske sletter, eller til Dalarö.

2. Å, som jeg har savnet å gi meg hen til varmen. Hvor er du fra? spør en jente. Det er så lyst omkring deg.

3. Alt var i bevegelse til tross for at det ikke blåste.

4. Man sier freden kom, og den var ikke ventet. Hvordan gikk det til?

5. Jeg sa aldri «pappa» etter at jeg fylte ti, heller ikke «far», jeg omtalte ham med navn, eller jeg henvendte meg direkte med et «du».

6. Hva gjenstår? Kun uklare bilder av slikt som hendte alt for fort.

7. «Lengselen» minner om «länge sen».
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THE WORKING CLASS ARRIVES IN PARADISE

1. It is 1975, I am twelve, I am travelling by train, I have planned to go to The Elysian Fields, or to Dalarö.

2. Oh, how I have missed surrendering myself to the warmth. Where are you from? a girl asks. It’s so bright around you.

3. Everything was in motion even though there was no wind.

4. They say that peace came, and that it was not expected. How did that happen?

5. I never said “dad” after I turned ten, nor “father” either, I referred to him by name, or I addressed him directly with a “you”.

6. What remains? Only vague images of things that happened all too fast.

7. “Longing” is reminiscent of “long ago”.

THE WORKING CLASS ARRIVES IN PARADISE

1. It is 1975, I am twelve, I am travelling by train, I have planned to go to The Elysian Fields, or to Dalarö.

2. Oh, how I have missed surrendering myself to the warmth. Where are you from? a girl asks. It’s so bright around you.

3. Everything was in motion even though there was no wind.

4. They say that peace came, and that it was not expected. How did that happen?

5. I never said “dad” after I turned ten, nor “father” either, I referred to him by name, or I addressed him directly with a “you”.

6. What remains? Only vague images of things that happened all too fast.

7. “Longing” is reminiscent of “long ago”.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère