Most Read... John McAuliffeBill Manhire in Conversation with John McAuliffe
(PN Review 259)
Patricia CraigVal Warner: A Reminiscence
(PN Review 259)
Eavan BolandA Lyric Voice at Bay
(PN Review 121)
Joshua WeinerAn Exchange with Daniel Tiffany/Fall 2020
(PN Review 259)
Vahni CapildeoOn Judging Prizes, & Reading More than Six Really Good Books
(PN Review 237)
Christopher MiddletonNotes on a Viking Prow
(PN Review 10)
Next Issue Kirsty Gunn re-arranges the world John McAuliffe reads Seamus Heaney's letters and translations Chris Price's 'Songs of Allegiance' David Herman on Aharon Appelfeld Victoria Moul on Christopher Childers compendious Greek and Latin Lyric Book Philip Terry again answers the question, 'What is Poetry'
Poems Articles Interviews Reports Reviews Contributors
Reader Survey
PN Review Substack

This poem is taken from PN Review 36, Volume 10 Number 4, March - April 1984.

Svensk Rapsodi Frank Kuppner

44 Comments on a little book of pictures of the same name

1.
Since buying this book more or less for nothing slightly
  over a year ago,
I have lost it at least twice, and twice found it,
(At no time ever having missed its presence),
When I was actually looking for something else.

2.
Inside the front cover was already written,
"To Alison from Barbro; Christmas 1965:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" (in Swedish);
Oh my coevals, I too received mail that week.

3.
Inscribed in a youthful hand, a mere two lines,
When I too was a child; but I have grown up,
And have covered their ageing gift with an adult scribble,
While their own hands form their adult scribbles elsewhere.

4.
Had it cost more than peanuts, I would never have bought it;
It is, to be sure, not a particularly good book;
The photographic views are not particularly impressive;
...


Searching, please wait... animated waiting image