TREASURES OF ICELANDIC

Jóhann Hjálmarsson was born in Reykjavik on July 2, 1939. From 1956 to 1959 he studied printing at the Technical College of Reykjavik; and in 1959, and again in 1965, he studied Spanish at the University of Barcelona. From 1967 to 2006, Jóhann worked as critic of both literature and theatre for the newspaper Morgunblaðið. Since 1990, he has also supervised literary broadcastings for the National Radio. Through the years Jóhann has been active in committees of the literary community, including serving on the Nordic Council Minister´s Committee from 1981-1990, acting as its chairman from 1987-1989. Jóhann has written numerous poetry collections and his first book, Aungull í tímann, was published in 1956. His works have been translated into many languages and published in collections throughout the world. He has, in turn, translated poems and collections into Icelandic. Poems in Treasures of Icelandic Verse Two of Jóhann’s poems – Birta (Light) and On Landscape (Um Landslag) – were published in Treasures of Icelandic Verse, an anthology compiled by Árni Sigurjónsson. Translation Sigurður A. Magnússon.

Light

Again light strikes
a bare landscape,
again evening falls,
night arrives
And you stand at the side of the smallest shadow
as before.
You don't feel anxiety,
are as quiet
as the stones, the withered grass:
this that was given you
of earth
of life.

....(rorem photo)