Erik Axel Karlfeldt

Erik Axel Karlfeldt Poems

Erik Axel Karlfeldt Biography

Erik Axel Karlfeldt (July 20, 1864 — April 8, 1931) was a Swedish poet whose highly symbolist poetry masquerading as regionalism was popular and won him the Nobel Prize in Literature posthumously in 1931. He had been offered, but declined, the award already in 1919. Karlfeldt was born into a farmer's family in Karlbo, in the province of Dalarna. Initially, his name was Erik Axel Eriksson, but he assumed his new name in 1889, wanting to distance himself from his father, who had suffered the disgrace of a criminal conviction. He studied at Uppsala University, simultaneously supporting himself by teaching school in several places, including the Stockholm suburb of Djursholm and a school for adults. After completing his studies, he held a position at the Royal Library of Sweden, in Stockholm, for five years. In 1904 Karlfeldt was elected a member of the Swedish Academy and held chair number 11. In 1905 he was elected a member of the Nobel Institute of the Academy, and, in 1907, of the Nobel Committee. In 1912 he was elected permanent secretary of the Academy, a position he held until his death. Uppsala University, Karlfeldt's alma mater, awarded him the title of Doctor honoris causa in 1917.)

The Best Poem Of Erik Axel Karlfeldt

Intet Är Som Väntanstider

Intet är som väntanstider,
vårflodsveckor, knoppningstider,
ingen maj en dager sprider
som den klarnande april.
Kom på stigens sista halka,
skogen ger sin dävna svalka
och sitt djupa sus därtill.
Sommarns vällust vill jag skänka
för de första strån, som blänka
i en dunkel furusänka,
och den första trastens drill.

Intet är som längtanstider,
väntansår, trolovningstider.
Ingen vår ett skimmer sprider
som en hemlig hjärtanskär.
Sällan mötas, skiljas snarligt,
drömma om allt ljuvt och farligt
livet i sitt sköte bär!
Gyllne frukt må andra skaka;
jag vill dröja och försaka,
i min lustgård vill jag vaka,
medan träden knoppas där.

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