Drivved (Driftwood)
Norwegian:
Jeg har mine røtter langt opp i mot nord,
der vintre er lange, og fjell møter fjord.
Men i tidlig alder vi flyttet mot sør,
og aldri jeg festet rot slik som man bør.
Vi bodde kun fåtall år fast på en plass,
vi bodde vel egentlig i flyttelast.
Men så ble jeg voksen, og slo meg til ro,
jeg fant en fin havneby, der sku' jeg bo.
Jeg driver og flyter i fra sted til sted,
jeg er som et stykke med gammel drivved.
English:
I have my roots far up to the north,
where winters are long, and mountain meets fjord.
But at early age we moved to the south,
and never I took to root, as one should.
We lived but a few years in one place,
we lived in reality in a moving truck.
But then I grew up, and I settled down,
I found a nice harbour town, there I'd live.
I drift and float from place to place,
I am like a piece of old driftwood.
© Jim T. Henriksen
October 4th, 2005
Author notes
This poem was written for Pookiebubu's contest "Demonstrate your Bilingual Abilities (Write me a poem in a language other than English!)", but it didn't win anything. It uses rhyme and rythm in its original language.
Then maybe a little explanation to the Norwegian poem. In Norwegian we pronounce the words exactly as they are written, like in latin. Our syllables are as the English vowels, but in addition Y, and three extra vowels æ/Æ ø/Ø and å/Å. There are also diftons that count as syllables, but none are used in this poem... A good guide to pronounciation can be found at the following website:
www.math.nyu.edu/~wendlc/pronunciation/Swedish.html
(Don't be misled by the name of the actual page 
)
A little explanation to the word "fjord", a word from the Norwegian language, explained by Dictionary.com:
A long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between steep slopes.
Written October 4th, 2005
In a list
A contest entry
- Demonstrate your Bilingual Abilities (Write me a poem in a language other than English!) by Pookiebubu.
300 points, ended October 8, 2005, 7 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 26 of 26
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Hi, Shahrzad! You have to read all before you comment, you know.
I am glad you liked it! 
Thank you for the comment! Jim
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lol...I was about to message you that why you put a poem in a language that I can't read it that I saw the English version of it too.
A great poem.
Shahrzad -
Thanks for the comment, Maria. Yes, our alphabet is a little longer than yours, and I guess even our coastline is longer too...
Thanks for the applause!
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Wow, norweigan, I had no idea it had those weird letters! Well done, cool too, nature at its best!
Maria -
Thanks for the comment, Deb. Too bad this poem didn't win anything, but I humbly accept the recognition given through your applause.
Jim
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Yes, I know well what a fjord is. Working for a cruiseline that has its history in Northern Europe, I've had to describe the various ones in our European itineraries. I've yet to see one, but from what I've heard they're breath-taking. It is difficult to always be on the move. I didn't start my moving around until I was an adult, and while the adventure was fun, my employment history has suffered a bit!
~~~~~
Thank you for sharing this piece, and good luck in the contest! -
This thankfulness...
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That's awesomeness...
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You should definately take a trip to Norway some day, it is a beautiful country...
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Thanks for the comment, sophonax. According to Dictionary.com, fjord/fiord are both right. The rhyme is in the Norwegian poem, as it was originally written as that...
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On Norway
I have many friends who have brought back beautiful artifacts and tales from there missionary trips.
Peace
Edited on Oct 06 because ''. -
Nice work, I was of the opinion that fjord was still spelt like that in English as well, but maybe you can do it both ways. I liked it that you did the rhyme in the Norwegian one as apposed to the translation.
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Thanks, Red! I loved your comment! Do you have roots (or live) in Norway?
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I could almost smell the snowy grasses and hear timbrels in mountain songs
You have done justice for the Norwegian heritage and I think Norway is home to many of the most beautiful churches and tapestries on earth. Thank you for reminding me~
Blessings from God's throne
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Thank you, Manoj! You got it all right, that was exactly what I was trying to tell. Thanks for the great analysis! Too bad about your teeth, though...
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Honestly, while trying to read Norwegian version .. broken my teeth.
LIKED READING THE ENGLISH VERSION. Love towards your birth land vis-a-vis problems in life's journey to various places,
excellently portraied in flowery language.
Best wishes and good luck in the contest.
manoj -
Thanks for the wonderful comment, Janice! I truely appreciate it, and your applause is heartwarming.
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excellent
This sounds absolutely delightful. It flows beautifully in both languages. Good luck in this contest,
Hugs
Jan -
Thanks for your lovely comment, CheshireKat! I appreciate it!
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it's a lovely peice in either language. good luck in the contest!
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Thanks for your great comment, Linda. I always appreciate your kind word, and your heartfelt applauses!
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Jim,so happy you translanted it, otherwise I would have to so sorry,but this really a well written poem tells a story and flows like aa river ready to burst with pride anticipation1 great job Linda
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Thanks, Yunaleska! Learning new languages are not easy, but give it time, and maybe visit the country where the language you wish to learn originates from, i.e. China, and you will get a deeper understanding of it, making it easier to learn. Nah, it's difficult anyway! Thanks for the applause!
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Thank you, Lencio. I am thrilled that you liked it that well, my friend. Consider it a crash course in Norwegian. Now atleast you know some, and your poem about me is a little bit more true. Thanks for the heartwarming applause!
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This is great! I wish I could read the norwegian language. I wish I was linguistical! But I've always been bad at German and definitely trash at French! I'm trying to learn Chinese now but that's soooo slloooowww. Great write!
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I tried to read the Norwegian first as I know the translation would follow. Then read the translation, and the norwegian again and found the Norwegian more marvellous to read, as I knew what it meant. I understand that all poetry is well read in their native language, and this for sure I know is.
Well done, may this win Jim!
Love and light,
Lencio
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1 - 26 of 26
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