I saw a tree big­ger than all the oth­ers
that hung full of cones, out of reach;
I saw a big church with open doors
and all who came out were pale and strong
and ready to die;
I saw a woman, laugh­ing and painted,
play­ing dice for her fate
and saw her lose.

I saw a ring drawn around these things
that no one trans­gresses.

Edith Söder­gran. “Jag såg ett träd…”. In: Dikter (1916). My translation.