Po-mz - Unforgettable Jens Bjørneboe Poetry Collected And Shared By Tony Johansen

Pronounced "Poems" but in the whacky digital age we make up new words because someone already registered the real word.

These poems are collected and shared because they are special words, often very profound, often sensual, and always very beautiful and meaningful.

Here are words from the greatest poets who ever lived, some of them very famous, but there are also treasures from lesser known poets who perhaps deserve to be better known. I humbly offer some of my poems in amongst this illustrious company. Please forgive me for that, and I hope you enjoy this rich selection.

Po-mz is designed to allow serendipity a large role in your reading pleasure. Do not expect the poetry to be ordered according to subject or poet. Instead you have two choices. You can read in a linear fashion using the next and previous buttons at the bottom of each page, or you can use the archives link at the bottom of this sidebar to randomly hop from poem to poem. Enjoy.

GO MOBILE
Now Po-mz comes in a special edition designed for easy reading on any internet enabled mobile phone. The URL you will need is http://po-mz.tumblr.com/mobile
Those fortunate enough to have an iPhone should just use the regular URL for best results.

LINKS
Gatherr
Cultural items of interest gathered from the web. Updated daily with an intense focus on a different theme for each day.

TonyJohansen.com
The main web site about the work of artist Tony Johansen. Extensive galleries of artwork as well as selected writings and poetry.

Diary Of An Artist
Online diary of Tony Johansen. The trivia, traumas and triumphs of an artist struggling to survive in a new world.

PaintMaking.com
The webs premier site on pigments and making artist's paints in the studio.

Go Figure
An online extension of a painting by Tony Johansen.

Voice In My Head
The background and story of the painting of the portrait of Leo Sayer by Tony Johansen

Crypts And Cats
Interesting places (and cats) within walking distance of Kings Cross.

Hens Night Ideas
Arty Party's are the fun way to celebrate a Hens Night.

EROTIC ART LINKS
Femaylz
Artistic erotic images of the female form collected, edited, and created by Tony Johansen. WARNING: This site contains explicit imagery of nude or semi clad women. Do not enter if you are under 18 years of age or are offended by sexually graphic images.

Maylz
Artistic erotic images of the male form collected, edited, and created by Tony Johansen. WARNING: This site contains explicit imagery of nude or semi clad men and includes images of penises. Do not enter if you are under 18 years of age or are offended by sexually graphic images.

Intercorz
Artistic erotic images of the male and female form engaged in sexual activity. The images are intended to explore the beauty of the human form in all activities. The images are collected, edited, and created by Tony Johansen. WARNING: This site contains explicit imagery of nude or semi clad men and women engaged in sexual activity. Do not enter if you are under 18 years of age or are offended by sexually graphic images.

Unforgettable Jens Bjørneboe Poetry Collected And Shared By Tony Johansen

SONG OF DEATH

When the day has come and the hour has come
And you’re put to the wall where you’ll bleed upright
And those who cared for you
Long since have gone from you
Then you will see it is lonely to die!

For the day will come and the hour will come
And you’ll color the sand you are standing on red
And when they come for you
Remember I told you
My brother! It’s strange how it’s lonely to die!

- Jens Bjørneboe, Translated by Joe Martin

Jens Bjørneboe (pronounced Yens BYURNaboo) was a Norwegian poet, painter, essayist, and teacher who lived a troubled life of depression and alcoholism. His uncompromizing attitudes to his art and social criticism lead to his jailing on obscenity charges. He described himself as an anarcho-nihilist. He committed suicide in 1976. It is interesting to read a second translation of the poem above, and below that is a beautiful poem he wrote about birds.

SONG OF DEATH

When the day has arrived and the hour has arrived
For facing the guns, a last look at the sky,
And all those who’ve known you
Reject and disown you,
You’re going to see: It is lonely to die.

For the day it will come and the hour it will come.
Your blood will run free, it will harden and dry.
And when their sights hold you
Remember I told you:
Oh brother, it’s horribly lonely to die.

- Jens Bjørneboe, Translated by Timothy Schiff

SONG OF THE BIRD LOVERS

Nothing is as guiltless as our lovely feathered friends.
We will not be happy until hunting of them ends.
Birds, we love them ardently,
Let them fly forever free!
Just listen to their chirping and twittering on high!
For their safety and protection we would gladly die.
Let their hearts be light and gay,
Free and safe in every way!

Swallows flying in the sky and seagulls on the sea,
Sparrows in the meadow and magpies in a tree!
Eagle, hawk, and peregrine,
Buzzard, kite and vulture’s kin!
Birds are sweet and kind, but man is mean and full of hate.
Anyone who kills a bird will earn a tragic fate!
Buzzard, kite and vulture’s kin,
Eagle, hawk, and peregrine!

- Jens Bjørneboe, Translated by Timothy Schiff