Olav Hauge

Mountains Are Heavy Things to Move



Mountains are heavy things to move,
oak-root won't budge,
who dares take issue
with the big things of the world?
Oxes and elephants bear them on their backs
on long journeys, eagles toss out
bloody chunks and swoop
to rock walls and ravines,
the wolves dog-fight over them,
the foxes slink round the bait,
the flies leave them filthy,
the magpie steals the silver,
the serpent wears the crown.



trns. by Robin Fulton



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