Sandstorms

Gyldendal have published Laus Strandby Nielsen's latest collection of poetry, which bears the title Hvis der ikke er sandstorme, så er der nok noget andet (If there aren't sandstorms, there's probably something else). Translations of some of these prose poems have already appeared in this blog:

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Laus Strandby Nielsen: Prose Poem

You throw a stick in the water, but it sinks to the bottom. You throw a stone that skims on the water before it sinks to the bottom. You find another stone, but see at once that it's not a stone. It is an internal organ in a relatively living creature. -- That's a lie! you say. And yes, it is, the stone is a stone, but the first stick that was the last was an internal organ inside the invisible dreaming monster you are struggling with. -- Was? Yes, precisely. The whole thing is a reconstruction. -- The whole thing? Yes, precisely. Why else would one be throwing sticks and stones in the water?


From: Den Fynske Forårsudstilling 2009. Catalogue. Prose Poems by Laus Strandby Nielsen.

Poem translated from Danish by David McDuff


Prose Poem
Prose Poem

Prose Poem

While the grass grows, loneliness dies. Look: They are dancing, all the old friends with their doubtful prognoses, each with his skeleton, each with his inimitably crumpled-up longing. See this molehill, and come closer to the sky. While the grass grows, the pictures tear themselves free of the paper. See through this mirror with anything other than your own eyes. While the landscape listens, the grass grows.

From: Den Fynske Forårsudstilling 2009. Catalogue. Prose Poems by Laus Strandby Nielsen.

Poem translated from Danish by David McDuff

Mens græsset gror, dør ensomheden. Se: De danser, alle de gamle venner med deres tvivlsomme prognoser, hver med sit skelet, hver med sin uefterligneligt sammenkrøllede længsel. Se dette muldvarpeskud, og kom tættere på himlen. Mens græsset gror, river billederne sig løs fra papiret. Se med alt andet end dine egne øjne igennem dette spejl. Mens landskabet lytter, gror græsset.