Tomas Tranströmer Quotes

In the middle of life, death comes to take your measurements. The visit is forgotten and life goes on. But the suit is being sewn on the sly.

We always feel younger than we are. I carry inside myself my earlier faces, as a tree contains its rings. The sum of them is me. The mirror sees only my latest face, while I know all my previous ones.

It is still beautiful to hear the heart beat but often the shadow seems more real than the body.

The airy sky has taken its place leaning against the wall. It is like a prayer to what is empty And what is empty turns its face to us and whispers: 'I am not empty, I am open'.

Two truths approach each other. One comes from inside, the other from outside, and where they meet we have a chance to catch sight of ourselves. (From “Preludes”)

I swim out in a trance
on the glittering dark water.
A steady note of a tuba comes in.
It’s a friend’s voice: “Take up your grave and walk.” (From “Two Cities”)

I dreamt that I had sketched piano keys out
on the kitchen table. I played on them, without a sound.
Neighbors came by to listen. (From “Grief Gondola #2”)

I open the first door. It is a large sunlit room. A heavy car passes outside and makes the china quiver.

I open door number two. Friends! You drank some darkness and became visible. (The Scattered Congregation)

Door number three. A narrow hotel room. View on an alley. One lamppost shines on the asphalt. Experience, its beautiful slag. (From “Elegy”)

We got ready and showed our home. The visitor thought: you live well. The slum must be inside you.

Tomas Tranströmer