Evening Stillness

Feel how near Reality lives.

She breathes close by

on still evenings.

Perhaps she shows herself when nobody realises.

The sun glides over grass and rock.

In her silent game

is the spirit of life hidden.

Never was he so near as this evening.

I met a stranger, who was silent.

If I had stretched out my hand,

I would have brushed against his soul,

as we passed each other with timid steps.

Karin Boye, in Hidden lands(1924) translated by Jenny Nunn