Song of Karelia

 

Fairest, though, among fair glimpses come the vision of Karelia,

like a lake agleam through branches, like a lustrous lake in summer

in the June-illumined season when no sooner evening darkens

than the cuckoo fluting clear sends the tender Aino summons,

bids her take her misty mantle, rise above the June-eve waters,

hasten toward the risen vapors, meet the cuckoo at his capers

in the rustlings of Karelia.

 

Harry Martinson: "Song of Karelia"
(Sång om Karelen), Aniara (1956),
translated by Stephen Klass and Leif Sjöberg, (1991)