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Johanne's Poem Great-grandmother Johanne was a poet. A moody one by all accounts. It's unfortunate that much of her writing was lost after her death, although a little survived and has been kept by her grandchildren (notably my cousin Lena). Below is a copy of one of her poems in translation. This was written when she was about twenty years old, before she met her future husband Hans. The translation was done be her great-grandson, Brian Andersen. |
Alone and abandoned I must walk, Listening to the song of the birds, And I listen to the little bird's twittering, Hiding my sorrow in its longing. Do you remember sitting by my side, And you promised to be faithful to me, When you said: "For you I will suffer And for you I will breathe and die"? You have diamonds and pearls, All that your heart desires And you have the most beautiful eyes Tell me dear: what more do you want? Remember when you go to the alter, You will say your "I do" before God, Oh, let this thought come forth, That I was supposed to be your bride. |
What follows is not part of the poem, but was written on the next page: Why didn't you keep your promise, When you swore to me your true love? With the wedding bouquet in my hand I will wander to the end of the world Until my weary eyes will shut. (Now farewell, live well, and forget me not.) |
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