My House

by Sigurður Pálsson

Húsið Mitt
My House 

There is almost nothing missing
from my house
almost nothing
The chimney’s missing
That grows on you
The walls are missing
and pictures from the walls
Take that as it is
But it’s cosy, my house
Please
There’s not much missing
from my house
The chimney’s missing
and the windows
and the door

Have a seat
Don’t be scared
We’ll have a bite
Break the bread, sip the wine
Light a fire in the hearth

Look at
no, admire the pictures
on the walls

Please
go in through the door
or the windows
if not just walls 

Translated by Bernard Scudder.
Originally appeared in Icelandic Poetry by Bernard Scudder,
published by Saga Forlag, EHF.