Thoreau Society Bulletin ISSN 0040-6406 Number 225 Fall 1998 True Fugitives: On Tomas Transtrdmer and Thoreau HennkCustafssonandNikiasScNbier Arguably the nation's leading poet, poetry? A few broad generalizations might twisted treeroots sound and leaves Tomas Transtromer (1931- ) is also be attempted^with the caveat that they scatter in fright. Sweden's most acclaimed writer inevitably reduce to content what is also Autumn's headlong is his light cloak, , abroad. His volumes of poetry have been form. Transtromer has long been a poet of chase flapping until again from frost and ashes translated into nearly fifty languages, and -sceneries wherein ordinary events and calm days have come in flock to bathe their he has been named by Joseph Brodsky, natural surroundings are visualized with claws in spring. ... Derek Walcott and most recently Wislawa remarkable insight and compression. His Szymborska as a prime candidate for the poetry is also infused, however, with Disbelieved goes the one who has seen a geyser, Nobel Prize in literature. 'To date, his mysteriousness and liberating epipha- fled the stagnant well like Thoreau and knowing ^national and international awards include nies—somewhat akin to what American thus to vanish deep in inner verdure, 'the Swedish Pilot Prize (1988), the Nordic psychologist Abraham H. Maslow has called cunning and hopeful. Council's Prize for Literature (1990), "peak experience." A recurrent theme is Germany's Petrarch Prize (1981), and the thus a quest for clarity (even, perhaps, for continued on page 3 Neustadt International Prize for Literature transcendence) that is often carried through (1990). Transtromer's poetry has also by giddily daring metaphor. It is perhaps drawn considerable critical attention. In not surprising, given these inclinations, that In This Issue Sweden there are a number of book-length Transtromer should display a keen interest 2 Editor's Column studies of his work, while internationally a in Henry Thoreau. Michael Berger score of distinguished journals have pro- In his 1954 debut 17 dikter (17 Poems), filed Transtromer's poetry. In the United Transtromer dedicates a poem to Thoreau. 5 President's Column States, for example, issues of Ironwood It is interesting both as an instance of Elizabeth Witherell (1979:13) and World Literature Today reception and as a poem in its own right. 6 Notes & Queries (1990:4) have been devoted entirely to Below we present a translation of "Fern articles on and translations of strofer till Thoreau," followed by a discus- 8 Curator's Column 1 Transtromer. In 1985 a dissertation on his sion of the poem's traits and background: ..Susan Godlewski poetry was presented at Berkeley: Joanna 9 Oliver's "Going to Walden" Bankier's The Sense of Time in the Poetry of Five Stanzas to Thoreau Tomas Transtrdmer. A..i« /. John Chamberlain Dividing his time between Vasteras Yet another has left the heavy town's 1 Thoreau and Houghton ring of ravenous stones. Crystal and salty and the secluded island of in Runmaro Mifflin Wesley T. Mott is the water merging round the heads of all Sweden's Baltic archipelago, Transtromer true fugitives. Encyclopedia of American practiced for many years as a psychologist beside his literary work. In 1990 he suf- Poetry Joel Myerson Here in a slow swirl silence has risen fered a stroke, effectively disarming his from earth's midst, to take root and grow I I Additions to the speech failing yet to silence his poetic and with bushy crown shadow the man's -Thoreau Bibliography Jvoice. In 1996 his latest volume of poetry, sunwarm doorstep. Michael Berger Sorgegondolen (The Sorrow Gondola), was released to unanimous acclaim. The foot absently kicks a fungus. A thunder- 1 2 Calendar What is the character of Transtromer's cloud swells on the horizon. Like copper horns Editor's Column Michael Berger Since this is the first issue of the Bulletin justice to both was courageous and quite tions produce the Bulletin. under my editorship, I will step out suggestive for us today when the methods I hope this bulletin will continue to from behind the editor's royal. "we" and and products of science are increasingly serve in important ways by acting as an say a few words of personal greeting. dominant cultural forces. In all this, organ for the flow of information and The Thoreau Society Bulletin, and the Thoreau shows ways to right some of the communication between members of the Thoreau Society, are said to be the longest deep imbalances of modern culture and to Thoreau Society, and by publishing brief running entities of their kind devoted to heal some of its ills, and to celebrate and but significant pieces of scholarship and an American literary figure. Throughout cultivate some of the inherent possibilities thoughtful reflection, as well as keeping this century there has been an enduring of human life in any cultural context. tabs on scholarship and journalism about and growing interest in Henry D. Thoreau. For these and other reasons, I'm Thoreau as these continue to flourish. There are various good reasons for this delighted to take on the editing of the _The regular features of the Bulletin you are continuing response and enthusiasm. Thoreau Society Bulletin. Like many mem- used to will continue, and I hope to be I will note a few. bers of the Society, I first read Thoreau's able to bring you an interesting array of There is, of course, the beauty and words in my youth. I caught the bug, articles with each issue. There will be a grace of Thoreau's writing. His writing appropriately, reading Walden during one regular flow of information for purposes also calls forth a lively introspection and of many family camping trips to the of Society housekeeping and development; examination of one's own life and of the woods. I am if anything more impressed as regular columns by the President, the health and ways of the society in which time flies by with the beauty of Thoreau's Curator of the collections of the Thoreau one lives. It is impossible to enjoy artistry and the importance of Thoreau's Institute, the Director of the Media Center Thoreau's words for long in the abstract. message to the world. at the Thoreau Institute, and the Director He speaks to urgent questions of how to Some can spend a lifetime studying of Education Programs at the Institute; live and what to live for very pointedly and Thoreau and still not be satisfied that occasional updates from the Publications at the same time elegantly. Legion are the they've plumbed the depths of what he Committee, book reviews, and Notes from people he deeply influenced who have meant by his life and writings. One who Thoreau Country with information about then shaped the world in significant ways, did devote a lifetime to Thoreau studies preservation and conservation efforts in such as Gandhi, King and Carson, and was the late Walter Harding, the longtime Concord and other places associated with many others. His voice is sometimes diffi- editor of this bulletin and guiding spirit of Thoreau; as well as the Calendar, the Notes^ cult to hear, but if one ever feels scolded or the Thoreau Society. There is seemingly no and Queries section, and Additions to the judged, one also feels that here is a fellow one alive today with Walter's depth and Thoreau Bibliography in each issue, and who takes a lively interest in the most breadth of knowledge about Thoreau and other occasional features. important things for the best reasons, for that reason, and because he was a I heartily thank President Beth which is a kind of ultimate respect a writer splendid human being, he is dearly missed. Witherell and the members of the Board can pay a reader. If he does not always Although I cannot hope to aspire to for entrusting me with this pleasant duty. make the most affable society, he is reliably Walter Harding's funds of knowledge, I I will try to carry it out in a professional the best companion for the best in us. am acutely aware of his long association manner, but also in the true amateur Wherever a human being fronts essential with this bulletin as its magisterial editor, spirit, which is to say (turning to the root facts, other human beings will be interested and do hope to take inspiration and meaning of the word, as Thoreau so often in the report. Thoreau fronted lots of guidance from his accomplishments and does) with love for the subject and love for them, and gave a fair report of much of example. I'd also like to recognize the the work. what he saw. His hardy independence and indefatigable Brad Dean, whom Walter And so, for now I will retire back cussedness against the conventional grain entrusted with the editorship when he behind the anonymous editorial "we" and are healthy tonics. And yet, his earnestness stepped down from it, and who has done wish you all good reading, of the Bulletin is also redeemed by sparkling wit and good and is doing so much to disperse knowl- and especially of HDT. humor. His diving deep into spiritual edge about Thoreau's previously unknown pilgrimage stimulates and encourages. His late natural history writings, chiefly by the insight into environmental and ecological agency of books, Web sites, and talks. Tom Could a greater miracle problems and dynamics was amazingly Harris, the Society's sedulous Executive take place than ror us to prescient and is increasingly pertinent. His Director-of-all-things-at-once, has pitched philosophical importance has not been in to sustain the Bulletin in the transition look through each other s sufficiently noted: he was, among other and will continue to be a great help as I get things, a serious scientific researcher who going as editor.