THE MOUNTAIN HOLDS ITS BREATH

 

there was a deep breath

and then the mountain stood there

then the mountains stood there

and that’s how the mountains stand there

 

and stoop downwards

and downwards

into themselves

and hold their breath

 

while heaven and sea

stroke and beat

the mountain holds its breath

 

Jon Fosse

Translation from Norwegian: 2010, May-Brit Akerholt