EARLY SPRING

(A PAINTING IN PRE-RENAISSANCE)

A veil-light mist stands over the meadow,
and pearl-grey dew sprinkles pale leaves -
a spring morning, cool and melancholy-glad,
when airy flowers unfold from humid groves.

In the grass narcissi dully gleam in rows.
From fragile chalices a scent of spring spreads down,
when over them with dreamy gaze there goes
a noble boy from Arno's town.

A happiness of wonder rests upon his face.
His walk is full of awkward charm and pliancy.
A book he bears, as careful as a sage.

He scarce perceives the meadow's paradise,
but stares foreboding-pale as the spring day
at mysterious distance, hidden in morning haze.

Translated into English by David McDuff in "Karin Boye: Complete poems".

Swedish original

For more information, please visit the website of David McDuff and his own pages with the translations.