INTO Norway's Open coastline Sink the fjords Fantastic carvings -- Scars that seam The ancient visage Of a warrior Never vanquished. Snowy white Against the heavens Towers the giant Dovre mountain. Fairness and wisdom Upon his brow, Alone -- austere He sits in judgment. Backward I look At times departed, Across the threshold Of a thousand years -- Lo, the broken shields, Bloody weapons, And shattered vessels In Hafursfjord. Sailed the vikings, Shone the ornate Dragon-heads, O'er darkling waters. Then gave Norway To a new country Boat-loads fair Of noblemen. In new surroundings The kindred tree, Changed in limb and bark And long-formed habits. But the heart and core -- Common language -- Unchanged remained, Through the ages long. Therefore, shall all The sons of Iceland Rejoice on Norway's Day of freedom. As long as thoughts of spring Foster warm impulse, And northern waters Break their icy bonds. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FOR THE NEW YEAR by EDWIN MARKHAM THE COMING OF WAR: ACTAEON by EZRA POUND |