SOURCE: "Vilhelm Ekelund," in Forays into Swedish Poetry, translated by Robert T. Rovinsky, University of Texas Press, 1978, pp. 65-71.

In the following essay, Gustafsson analyzes Ekelund's poem "The First Spring Rain," noting the particular Swedishness of Ekelund's work.

"Det första vårregnet"

Som ett nät av svarta spindelvävar
 hänga trädens våta grenar.
 I den tysta februarinatten
 sjunger sakta, klingar, svävar
 fram ur däldens snår och stenar
 suset av en källas vatten.

I den tysta februarinatten
 gråter himlen stilla.
                                       -Syner, 1901

"The First Spring Rain"

Black, like webs from spinning spiders playing
 branches, moisture-heavy, bend
 In the silent February night
 singing slowly, ringing, swaying
 out of rock-strewn, brushy glen
 sounds of wellspring, watery delight.

In the silent February night
  cry the heavens softly.
                                  -Visions, 1901

For the average Swede, Ekelund's poetry can occasionally take on an exotic quality, which comes...