Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Tone Hødnebø

NOT the whispering branch

NOT the whispering branch,
not the cool wind
not the weak heart

But a voice saying: go home, go home
and home is a place in an insignificant soviet
A second later you are transformed
as you imagine the scenery you are deported
turn your back and never regret.
Your mind open thinking how your thoughts move
like a forest aroused, and the tree-trunks cut down, one by one.

NOT the whispering branch

IKKE den susende greinen,
ikke den svale vinden,
ikke det syke hjertet

men en stemme som sier: gå hjem, gå hjem
Og hjem er et sted i et lite sovjet
Ett sekund står du forvandlet
Tanken på stedet forviste deg dit
Du skal gi fra deg alt og aldri angre
Du åpner hodet. Du tenker at tankene rører seg
som en opprømt skog, og skogen hugges, tre for tre.
Close

NOT the whispering branch

NOT the whispering branch,
not the cool wind
not the weak heart

But a voice saying: go home, go home
and home is a place in an insignificant soviet
A second later you are transformed
as you imagine the scenery you are deported
turn your back and never regret.
Your mind open thinking how your thoughts move
like a forest aroused, and the tree-trunks cut down, one by one.

NOT the whispering branch

NOT the whispering branch,
not the cool wind
not the weak heart

But a voice saying: go home, go home
and home is a place in an insignificant soviet
A second later you are transformed
as you imagine the scenery you are deported
turn your back and never regret.
Your mind open thinking how your thoughts move
like a forest aroused, and the tree-trunks cut down, one by one.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère