I climb down to the earth

by Hrafnhildur Þórhallsdóttir

In the dawn, my eyes
open
up.
Now, I choose to live.

Discern a low whine
life sign
in glistening
water. 

The air is clear,
goodness.

Under my feet,
the field.
In my palms,
the ax.

Now, I choose to live. 

And I know that you saw me
I heard you hear
and saw you see
me.

break the holy shrine
— when I was to break bread —
and break an oath
all oaths.

Saw me
when I lay,
disguised
to lead sight
away from myself. 

And now I choose to live.
The vision, simple:
Staves, of light.
White lines. 

And now I rest at night.
Plant what will grow,
no fear of the harvest.  

The soil is fertile.
The sky, steady.
I forgive myself. 

I choose to live. 

Translated by Meg Matich.