Tomas Tranströmer

T

The Indoors is Endless

It’ s spring in 1827, Beethoven
hoists his death-mask and sails off.

The grindstones are turning in Europe’ s windmills.
The wild geese are flying northwards.

Here is the north, here is Stockholm
swimming palaces and hovels.

The logs in the royal fireplace
collapse from Attention to At Ease.

Peace prevails, vaccine and potatoes,
but the city wells breathe heavily.

Privy barrels in sedan chairs like paschas
are carried by night over the North Bridge.