I saw a tree bigger than all the others
Edith Södergran. “Jag såg ett träd…”. In: Dikter (1916). My translation.
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.