2017-08-24

【Theme】

Carl Spitteler (1845—1924)

〖Nobel Prize in Literature in 1919〗

            Bell with the tongue of silver-tone,

            I would make thy secret known -

            Cooped with screech-owl, flittermouse,

            In the crumbling belfry-h

2017-08-24

【Another Waking】

Carl Spitteler (1845—1924)

〖Nobel Prize in Literature in 1919〗

            From the nightmare world of dream

            I awakened with a scream.

            Chime of bells and song of a bird

            Deep in budding woods I heard;

2017-08-24

【Aiden in English】

        The final day of the vacation is always a sad one. But a well-said phrase from our program director of the Viking Kvasir states otherwise. "Don't feel so sad that the journey is over, be happy it happened." I'm certainly happy this Rhine Getaway took place, and although I missed out on many opportunities to drink alcohol, I have no regrets.

        However, the f

2017-08-24

【Morning Bell】

Carl Spitteler (1845—1924)

〖Nobel Prize in Literature in 1919〗

       It seemed as though the dawn would never come

       To save me from the night's delirium,

       Those hells of thought I wandered in - who schooled

       My brain at other times, and strictly ruled

       It's every motion. Fever now was king;

       My spirit groped, a shudder

2017-08-24

【A Shout of Joy】

Carl Spitteler (1845—1924)

〖Nobel Prize in Literature in 1919〗

        Oh what has changed my thought's defiant tread

          To winged ride on drifting clouds o'erhead?

          Is it my view, unfettered and wide,

               O'er countryside?

          Is it the torrent's ring

2017-08-23

【The Modest Little Wish】

Philippe Jaccottet (1925—2021)

            In the days when I was little

               had they asked me what I wanted,

            What I'd wish for first if wishes

               ever could be really g

2017-08-23

【Distances】

Philippe Jaccottet (1925—2021)

          Swifts turn in the heights of the air;

          higher still turn the invisible stars.

          When day withdraws to the ends of the earth

          their fires shine on a dark expanse of sand.

          We live in a

2017-08-23

【It’s easy to talk, and writing words on the page】

Philippe Jaccottet (1925—2021)

       It’s easy to talk, and writing words on the page

       doesn’t involve much risk as a general rule:

       you might as well be knitting late at night

       in a warm room, in soft, treacherous light.

       The words are all written in the same ink,

     ‘flower’ and ‘fear’

2017-08-23

【Winter's Close • I】

Philippe Jaccottet (1925—2021)

           So little is left to the errant soul,

              almost nothing to expel

              the fear of losing space

              And yet what sings,

2017-08-23

【Aiden in English】

        Finally, off the ship in Basel of Switzerland, I forgot the feeling of the smooth glide of the boat. Replaced by a bumpy, unpleasant bus ride to our next destination of Lucerne, I immediately missed the blissful form of travel provided on the Viking Kvasir. However, the transfer off the boat was slightly buffered through a long bus ride in which I took a good nap. I didn't miss the important section on the trip though. A trip to where

2017-08-23

【Winter's Close•II】

Philippe Jaccottet (1925—2021)

            A scattering of tears

            on the altered face,

            the sparkling season

            of swelling rivers:

          &

2017-08-23

【Winter's Close•III】

Philippe Jaccottet (1925—2021)

          Gossamer shadows

        in the strands of winter’s surviving grass,

          hidden patient flutes

          convey the faithful and discreet

          but as yet u