her mind ranged higher than common happenings

no miser- or mutable soul was she

enjoyed herself reading books and essays

not suited to popular taste

had within herself

a bright world of dreams and poems

knew how to get along with high and low

knew how to receive guests

knew how to heed folks’ talk

knew how to tell a story

she was poetically inclined but kept that close to her chest

skaldtongued though she flaunted it little

speechdeft indeed but did not flaunt those gifts

could compose on the spot but held verse close to her chest

far be it from her

to speak of her achievements

Translated from the Icelandic

Notes:

“her mind ranged higher than common happenings” is from the bilingual book of translations Herostories (Deep Vellum, 2023), published through arrangement with Deep Vellum. Read the Icelandic-language original, “hugur hennar stóð hærra en almennt gerðist” and the translator’s note by K.B. Thors.

Source: Poetry (June 2024)